A MOTHER whose son died in a motorcycle accident has won a battle for an extra ambulance for her home town.But Ann Sefton, who watched her son bleeding in the street while it took an ambulance nearly half an hour to arrive, vowed to continue her fight for more emergency cover for Chelmsford.

A MOTHER whose son died in a motorcycle accident has won a battle for an extra ambulance for her home town.

But Ann Sefton, who watched her son bleeding in the street while it took an ambulance nearly half an hour to arrive, vowed to continue her fight for more emergency cover for Chelmsford.

Father-of-three Tony Sefton, 32, died after he had a motorcycle accident in Gloucester Avenue, Chelmsford, in May 2003.

It took an ambulance 26 minutes to arrive from the time of the 999 call, although a rapid response vehicle attended within seven minutes.

Mr Sefton was taken to Broomfield Hospital with severe head injuries, but died the next day.

There were only two ambulances stationed at Chelmsford then. Mrs Sefton, who until the day of her son's death worked as an ambulance driver for the London Ambulance Service, launched a campaign for more ambulances in the county town, enlisting the help of Chelmsford West MP Simon Burns.

Yesterday, Essex Ambulance Service chief executive Anthony Marsh revealed he is basing a third ambulance in Chelmsford after reviewing 999 call demand.

The ambulance is not being moved in from another area, but is a completely new resource. There is also a paramedic rapid response vehicle based in the town.

Mrs Sefton, who delivered a 5,641-name petition to Downing Street as part of her campaign, said: “I'd still like to see some more. It's nice at least there's one extra ambulance out there now.

“It's sad it had to come to this, but the death of my son is what spurred me on. Being in the ambulance service myself I knew what can be and should be done.”

She added: “I don't think I'll call it a day. I'll take advice from Anthony Marsh and Simon Burns and see if there's any chance of getting another ambulance. I shall speak to them and see what they advise.”

Mr Marsh said: “This is extremely good news for the people of Chelmsford.

“I would like to thank Mrs Ann Sefton who has been working with us to highlight the case for further resources in the town. It must have been a particularly difficult time for her so soon after the tragic loss of her son.

“The Trust has come a long way over the last two years with more resources, staff trained to an even higher level and new ways of working.”

Mr Burns said: “I am thrilled that the Essex Ambulance Service has now agreed to base a third ambulance in the town of Chelmsford.”