A GEORGE Town man commandeered an ambulance with force while he was being driven to hospital.
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The 30-year-old patient is understood to have got into the front of the vehicle after becoming agitated near Longreach on the East Tamar Highway.
A scuffle ensued within the ambulance and the two paramedics, unable to restrain the man, have left the vehicle after activating their distress signal.
The man then reversed about 500 metres along the highway before crashing into a railing.
The collision took off the ambulance's side door and caused nearly $20,000 worth of damage.
The man was found by police walking along the highway without injury.
The incident occurred shortly after 5am yesterday.
Police arrested the man and took him to Launceston General Hospital.
Tasmania Police North East division acting Inspector Luke Moore said an investigation was under way, however, charges had not been laid.
The paramedics had initially attended a George Town home to treat the man for abdominal pain.
It's believed the man suffers mental health issues.