A PARAMEDIC who crashed when he lost control of his faulty ambulance has won almost £6,000 in damages.

Joel Byers smashed into a tree when the Chevrolet ambulance had a total electrical failure, leaving him without brakes and unable to steer.

Mr Byers, 48, was awarded £5,865 by a judge at Newcastle County Court after the crash in October 1998, while he was answering a 999 call.

Mr Byers suffered neck injuries which have left him in need of physiotherapy, and a knee injury.

The court heard how Mr Byers and his colleague Neville Jones, who was in the passenger seat, were speeding to answer a 999 call from High Heaton, in Newcastle.

Both said the vehicle suddenly lost all power as they negotiated a roundabout.

A judge ruled that mechanical fault was to blame for the crash and found North-East Ambulance Service were responsible.

The pay-out follows a string of problems since the Chevrolet fleet was introduced.

During the hearing, drivers gave evidence that the Chev-rolet ambulances had developed mechanical faults in the past, with most cases involv-ing the drive-belt snapping

Mr Byers said: "Everything just went off - the lights, sirens, brakes and steering."

The father-of-three has been driving ambulances for the North East service since 1987, and remains an employee.

He said: "I'm just glad it's all over. It was not about the money - it was about proving that it was not my fault."

The ambulance service claimed the accident must have been a result of driver negligence, because no faults were found in the vehicle after an investigation.

But Mr Recorder Lewis said there was no question of driver error. "I find without hesitation that there can be no criticism of the claimant's driving," he said.

The Chevrolet ambulances have been at the centre of controversy for several years. Paramedics even threatened strike action if the fleet of 56 vehicles was not scrapped.