Ambulance staff in Cumbria are to be offered counselling to help them cope with the aftermath of Derrick Bird`s shooting spree in which 12 people died.

The ambulance service said the shocking incident has affected staff and the local residents, describing the scenes as traumatic and distressing.

One ambulance crew came across two victims lying in the road and transported them to hospital, a spokesman for the North West Ambulance Service Trust said.

Head of service for Cumbria and Lancashire Peter Mulcahy said the staff`s safety and welfare was paramount. "Whilst making their way back to station a crew from the patient transport service came across two of the victims lying in the road, they stopped to help and took them to hospital," he said.

"This was a traumatic incident for our staff as well as the local community. It was an unusual incident for our staff and the types of injuries and calls our staff dealt with were very distressing. The Trust will provide full support and counselling to staff to help them deal with the aftermath of this shocking event."

The control room dealt with more than 50 emergency calls regarding the shooting. Thirteen ambulances were dispatched along with air ambulances and rapid response vehicles.

Copyright © Press Association 2010