FELIXSTOWE/IPSWICH: A drunk teenager called paramedics pretending to have a “racing heart” in a bid to be taken home in an ambulance, it emerged today.

The 17-year-old is believed to have missed the last train home from Felixstowe to Ipswich when he dialled 999 with a heart complaint shortly after 10pm on Thursday night.

Paramedics scrambled to Felixstowe Train Station, in Railway Approach, but after assessing the teen they determined no medical treatment was required.

While at the scene, they were then forced to endure abuse from the drunk – later calling police to assist in dealing with him.

It is believed the youth had missed his train home and hoped to get a lift back to Ipswich with the medics.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said they were called to the scene by the ambulance service after the teenager became “abusive”.

She said: “He had reported having a racing heart, however the ambulance service went to the location and found that the male did not need any medical treatment.

“The teenager was heavily intoxicated and at first was unable to give officers details of his address, however after eventually getting those details they made contact with his dad who came to pick him up.”

A spokeswoman for the East of England Ambulance Service said that making a hoax call could result in a fine or prison sentence.

She said: “The trust takes hoax calls very seriously as they could mean a difference between life and death for a genuine caller. If a crew is sent to a report that does not warrant a response, it potentially diverts valuable resources from a real life-threatening emergency and could mean unnecessary delays in getting to someone in real trouble.

“Because of this the Trust works closely with police to bring about prosecutions where appropriate.

“Making a hoax call to any of the emergency services is a criminal offence and anyone convicted of doing so can be taken to court and may face a fine of up to �5,000 and/or be sent to prison for six months.”

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