The young paramedic was called to a concern for safety when she was allegedly attacked by the man she was trying to save before police rushed to the scene to assist
A female paramedic was allegedly assaulted by a man whose life she was trying to save. The young paramedic was working on duty in Sydney’s eastern beaches at the time.
The 24-year-old had been called to a concern for safety in Matraville at around 3.50pm local time on Friday. She began treating the 66-year-old man, who was intoxicated, at the scene before he was put in the back of an ambulance to be rushed to a local hospital. When the man was placed in the back of the emergency vehicle, he allegedly began threatening the woman who was treating him before he began to punch her in the torso and arms.
Police said they rushed to the scene and helped the paramedics take the man to hospital under police guard, 7News reports.
A police spokesperson told the news site: “Following inquiries, the man was released from hospital and taken to Mascot Police Station where he was charged with assault frontline health worker, no actual bodily harm.”
It’s reported that the paramedic did not need treating for injuries following the alleged assault. The man was refused bail and is due to appear in court today.
Last year the Mirror reported on the harrowing reality of what it is like to be a 999 ambulance crew. We published an insight into the reality of an 11-hour shift with West Midlands Ambulance Service.
It shed light on what it is like to attend emergencies, with one particular case being highlighted as an 84-year-old woman whimpered and clutched her abdomen as paramedics saw to her. It was a grim insight into how her children had failed to be able to get time with the GP.
“This family has been let down,” explained paramedic Simon Day, when the crew finally left at 10pm. He looks exhausted in the headlights of their truck. “We have been here two hours, all we have done is arrange an appointment.”
The story came about as the Mirror highlighted the state of the NHS and urged the government at the time to get a hold of the situation.
Simon explained: “Every ambulance crew delayed at hospital, dealing with someone who can’t get a GP appointment, or mental health and social care, cannot respond to the life-threatening calls people believe we are there for.
“It’s something ambulance staff see day in, day out. The bottom line for me is if we haven’t got the ability to respond to emergency calls, we’re not an emergency service.”
To read the full account, click here.