Calls to NSW Ambulance soar by 20 per cent amid heatwave stress

Emergency services will be on standby as three concerts are held in one of the hottest parts of the country on Saturday night.

Calls to New South Wales Ambulance have seen a spike of 20 per cent as Sydney swelters through a heatwave.

It’s prompted concerns as people head to Sydney Olympic Park, where three separate music events are being held.

It reached 38.9C at Sydney Observatory on Saturday afternoon, 43C at Sydney Airport, and 43.5C at Penrith about 2.30pm.

In regional NSW, Bourke reached 42.4C at 4pm, and Broken Hill Airport recorded 41C.

People across Sydney sweltered through temperatures exceeding 40C in some areas on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

NSW Ambulance Service chief superintendent Mark Gibbs told reporters at a media conference on Saturday afternoon the service had been experiencing more calls than usual.

“NSW Ambulance Service has seen approximately a 20 per cent increase in calls compared to a normal Saturday in the summer period,” he said.

“That will equate to by midnight to approximately 500 extra calls. At this time our resources are meeting that demand, and we’ll monitor that into the evening.”

The Foo Fighters are performing at Accor Stadium. Picture: Stu McKay / Twitter

While rapper 50 Cent is performing at Qudos Bank Arena. Picture: Supplied / Ray Rolla

More than 100,000 people are flocking to attend the Foo Fighters concert, rapper 50 Cent’s performance, and the sold-out Epik festival, all at different Homebush venues on Saturday night.

Chief superintendent Gibbs said that’s where his paramedics will be focusing most of their attention.

He advised concertgoers to “hydrate, to wear light clothing, and to wear sun protection as we move into the evening.”