Families still have unanswered questions years after two loved ones die in ambulance crash

Families still have unanswered questions years after two loved ones die in ambulance crash Suffolk Police say loved ones of Jane Blampied and Anthony Dawbarn, who died when a private ambulance crashed near Newmarket, remain frustrated as it is unclear what caused the smash Grieving families of two pensioners killed in an ambulance crash still face unanswered questions more than two years on from the tragedy. Police say the loved ones of Jane Blampied and Anthony Dawbarn are frustrated at this, despite the driver of the private ambulance admitting causing death by careless driving. Julie Ijere, though, was spared jail on Wednesday at Cambridge Crown Court — and the cause of the crash remains a mystery. Ijere, 60, was instead sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment, suspended for 30 months. She has also been disqualified from driving for five years and will have to take an extended retest. But Detective Inspector Dave McCormack, of Suffolk Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "This has been a tragic case for the families of Jane Blampied and Anthony Dawbarn to deal with. "It has taken a long time to be brought to court and I thank the families for their patience. Julie Ijere has pleaded guilty and therefore taken responsibility, however this still doesn't give the families the answer as to what caused the collision. This is understandably a cause of frustration for them." Ijere was driving an ambulance operated by a private transport service with a colleague and two patients towards Newmarket, Suffolk on December 19, 2023. Ms Blampied, 70, was driving a Volkswagen Golf on the other side of the road when the ambulance drifted into her path — causing the ambulance to tip on its side. Anthony Dawbarn, 93, who was a patient in the ambulance, suffered serious injuries and died at Addenbrooke's Hospital on December 21. Ijere pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by careless driving at a previous hearing in April. CCTV from the area and dashcam footage from the ambulance was reviewed by officers. Suffolk Police said dashcam footage clearly showed that just prior to the collision, the ambulance crossed the broken white lines in the middle of the road onto the other side and into the path of the VW Golf. But the investigation found no evidence that there were any distractions from inside the ambulance, or that Ijere had been interacting with her phone. The driver, from Stowmarket, Suffolk, was on prescription medication at the time but again there was no evidence to suggest this adversely affected her ability to drive safely. Victim personal statements from both families were read during the hearing, highlighting the enduring impact the tragic losses have had on the families, friends and loved ones of Ms Blampied and Mr Dawbarn. In addition to her sentence, Ijere will have to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work, as well as take part in a 15-day rehabilitation activity programme. She was also ordered to pay a £500 victim surcharge and £187 in costs.