A thief stole an ambulance basic response bag - while paramedics battled to save a patient's life.
The crew had been called to a home in Scawfell Avenue, Workington, this morning, following reports a patient had suffered a cardiac arrest.
While the ambulance was parked outside, at about 6.50am, a man was seen entering the back of the vehicle and stealing the bag - filled with medical equipment.
The man is described as about 5ft 8in, of skinny build, with a shaven head and wearing a grey hooded top and jogging bottoms.
The North West Ambulance Service took to social media to condemn the thieves, writing on Twitter that had "no words".
A separate post on Facebook said: "We are shocked and appalled that while one of our crews were performing CPR on a patient suffering from a cardiac arrest in Workington this morning, somebody decided to steal their response bag.
"This could have meant the difference between life and death."
A Cumbria police spokesman confirmed that the force was investigating the incident.
Anyone with information is urged to call officers on 101.
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