A Harpenden woman - whose brother died during an ambulance strike in 1989 - has issued a heartfelt plea ahead of strikes due to take place over the coming weeks.

Sarah Perryman's brother Wayne died at the age of 22 following a crash on the North Circular Road in December 1989.

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Ambulance strikes have been announced by the UNISON, GMB and Unite unions, to take place today (December 21), and next Wednesday (December 28).

Wayne's funeral was originally set to be held on December 21, before being moved due to his father's birthday.

Herts Advertiser: The first ambulance strike is due to take place on December 21, the original date of Wayne's funeral.The first ambulance strike is due to take place on December 21, the original date of Wayne's funeral. (Image: Sarah Perryman)

Speaking of the strikes, Sarah told The Herts Advertiser: "I am sad, angry, dismayed that history may repeat itself for another family, with the Ambulance Service announcing that they will strike on 21st and 28th December."

Yesterday, the NHS released an urgent plea reminding the public to only call for an ambulance in "genuine emergencies".

Herts Advertiser: Wayne was not attended to by an ambulance, during the strike.Wayne was not attended to by an ambulance, during the strike. (Image: Sarah Perryman)

Dr Jane Halpin, chief executive of the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board, said: "If you call 999 for an ambulance and you don’t need one, you could endanger the life of another person in desperate need of emergency care."

However, Sarah Perryman has concerns over how each individual case is determined.

Sarah spoke of the circumstances of her brother's death: "A witness called 999, but the Ambulance Service assessed the situation and judged it 'not to be serious enough for an ambulance to attend'.

"So instead the Army, who’d been drafted in to cover, went to his aid.

Herts Advertiser: Sarah hopes to avoid another ambulance strike, so that another family does not suffer a similar tragedy.Sarah hopes to avoid another ambulance strike, so that another family does not suffer a similar tragedy. (Image: Sarah Perryman)

"They weren't equipped to deal with such an injury and instead of being able to take the top of the car off to extract him, they cut his leg off.

"Amazingly, he was chatting to the policeman who was comforting him telling him about his ski holiday he was due to go on that week.

"He died two hours later in hospital from blood loss shock."

Herts Advertiser: Sarah has now written to two local MPs and the chief executive of the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust.Sarah has now written to two local MPs and the chief executive of the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust. (Image: Sarah Perryman)

Sarah has now written to Daisy Cooper MP, Bim Afolami MP and the chief executive of the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust asking them to pressurise the government to negotiate an appropriate salary increase and improved conditions for essential key worker staff.

She continued: "This tragic loss of a young life might have been prevented had the crew not been on strike, we’ll never know.

"33 years on my family still suffer from this.

"Our family was destroyed in so many ways, that continue to this day.

"It is naive and foolish to think there will not be any tragedies as a result of these strikes this coming week.

"There will undoubtedly be unintended consequences.

"I urge the Government to negotiate with the unions to enable these key workers to continue at work, and so perform their duty of care."

The East of England Ambulance Service, which covers Hertfordshire, is not currently taking part in the strikes.

A spokesperson told The Herts Advertiser that the service is running as usual, although still under "significant pressure".