Man steals, crashes ambulance in cross-state crime spree in US

An ambulance ride in the US turned into an interstate crime spree that ended with two stolen vehicles, one crashed ambulance and several police with bite marks.

Chicago man Michael Buckner, 23, was being transported from one hospital to another on Monday after being strapped into the gurney by five security guards.

On the way he managed to break free and steal the ambulance which he drove out of the city with two cameras recording the escape.

While on the highway toward Port Washington in the neighbouring state of Wisconsin, a cabin-mounted camera shows Mr Bunker doze into a microsleep, only to wake up in time to see the back of the truck he was about to hit.

He swerved, but the ambulance lost balance and rolled on its side, grinding down the road in a shower of sparks.

When it stopped moving, Mr Bunker made his escape from the wreck and was soon offered a lift by a stranger who offered to help, Fox6 reports.

Along the way, the Good Samaritan became suspicious and fearful of Mr Bunker and pulled over to call the sheriff.

Keen to keep moving, Mr Bunker decided he would take the stranger's car and drove it a short distance before he was stopped by Ozaukee County Sheriffs.

Mr Bunker was taken to jail but appeared to be having a medical incident and was transported to hospital where he became enraged and attacked sheriff deputies and security guards.

Three officers were left with non-life-threatening injuries including bites and lacerations while Mr Bunker also had non-life-threatening injuries and received treatment.

He is being held by police on charges of with operating a motor vehicle without owner's consent, battery to a police officer and is awaiting transportation back to Illinois where he will face further charges.

It is not known why Mr Bunker was agitated to the point where he had to be strapped into a gurney in the first instance.