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.