Agony : Roy Parker , 67 , waited almost an hour-and-a-half for an ambulance to arrive after he broke his shoulder and wrist . A pensioner seriously injured falling from a ladder waited nearly 90 minutes for an ambulance because the paramedics were on a lunch break . As Roy Parker , 67 , lay in agony after breaking his shoulder and wrist at around 11.30am , his neighbour dialled 999 . But paramedics did not arrive at his home in Solihull , West Midlands , until shortly before 1pm . West Midlands Ambulance Service has written to Mr Parker ’ s MP , Caroline Spelman , apologising for its ‘ error ’ last month . It admitted an ambulance should have gone but its crew was sent back for a meal break . Mr Parker ’ s wife , Dorothy , 69 , said : ‘ I arrived home about half an hour after his fall . 'My neighbour was with him . She thought he was going into shock. ’ Paramedics had phoned to say they would be there as soon as possible but arrived one and a half hours after the 999 call . 'The paramedics were fantastic . They could see how bad the injuries were , but it is deeply concerning that my husband was left in this state for so long , ; Mrs Parker said . In the letter to Ms Spelman , West Midlands Ambulance Service said : 'In summary we did have a vehicle to send but it was sent back for a meal break . 'Caroline , we can only apologise for this error and I know the chief has offered to write to the patient to apologise for our mistake . 'Clearly there was an error in handling the call and I am sorry for the distress this has caused . I hope you are reassured that a review is taking place into what happened . ' Meal break : It has since transpired Roy , 67 , pictured with wife Dot , waited while the crew had their lunch . A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance added : ‘ The initial call suggested he had fallen about 4ft and had hurt his arm and shoulder . 'We were dealing with a 25 per cent increase in 999 calls , many of which were of a more serious nature . ‘ As well as being the law , it is right and proper that we give our crews a break . If we didn ’ t ... they would work throughout their 12-hour shift which would put lives at risk – both patients and staff . ’
999 was called after Roy Parker broke his shoulder and wrist at 111.30am.30am . But 67-year-old had to wait until just before 11.30ampm for paramedics to arrive . Ambulance service admitted it was because crew were having a meal break . Also dealing with 25 per cent increase in calls at the time , spokesman said .