John Peacock, of Kenwith Drive, Kingsbridge, writes:

Clearly the plight of five-year- old Olivia Drzezinska-Roberts did not fit into the 'sophisticated planning tool' as used by South West Ambulance Service Trust.

'Historically' her plight did not fit into the planned time when emergency cover would be available.

Statistics and figures can be manipulated to fit whatever criteria one is trying to prove and Mr RM Johnson's letter of August 24 was correct in its assertion that emergency cover in the Kingsbridge area has been reduced.

Indeed it has been systematically reduced over the past 30 years.  I too was a front line ambulance man for 20 years and in the 1980 and '90s Kingsbridge was served with two fully equipped vehicles and manned by qualified – paramedic/cardiac – trained staff.

In the 1970s at certain times of the day, three emergency vehicles were based at Kingsbridge to serve the 100-plus square mile covered by our ambulance crews

 The introduction of the air ambulance, one manned fast response vehicle and volunteer first responders all conspired to aid the argument that cover had not been affected when bit by bit emergency crews were reduced.

Now we hear of this wonderful 'planning tool' which can apparently foretell when an emergency will occur and ensure suitable response. All very scientific and quite why it did not work in the case of Olivia is a mystery.

 Statistically more people die in bed than anywhere else. Maybe none of us should get into bed at night, or at any time for that matter.

 Emergencies happen at any time and  we should all expect – no, demand– the very best of emergency cover from our emergency services.

Historical demand is an excuse for budget cutbacks.