Man involved in collision stabs paramedic

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Published Sep 26, 2016

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Durban - A paramedic was stabbed and assaulted after stopping at a motor vehicle collision to help.

The unnamed ER24 medic was attacked on Saturday night when he and his colleagues came across the collision in Ohrtmann Road in Pietermaritzburg.

They had been on their way to a nearby hospital where they were taking patients from a previous motor vehicle accident , said ER24 spokeswoman, Chitra Bodasing-Harduth.

They pulled over to assess the incident and “moments later, four occupants from one of the vehicles involved in the collision verbally assaulted the paramedics”.

The situation escalated and one man pulled a knife and attacked a paramedic. A member of the public then stepped in and disarmed the knife-wielding attacker.

“The paramedics called for police assistance and further ER24 resources soon after the verbal assault began.

“When another ER24 emergency vehicle arrived on the scene after the paramedic had been stabbed, the suspect ran across the road and returned with a brick and attempted to further assault the ER24 crew. A paramedic managed to disarm the suspect.”

When the police arrived, the suspect verbally assaulted officers and attempted once again to assault the medical crew. It is understood he also assaulted the driver of the other vehicle involved in the collision.

Four suspects were detained by the police and taken to Mountain Rise police station.

A case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, common assault, reckless and negligent driving, malicious damage to property as well as resisting arrest was opened.

The ER24 spokeswoman said it was not clear if any other charges would be brought because the police were still obtaining complete witness statements.

The injured paramedic received several stitches to his face and hand at a nearby Mediclinic.

The patients who were originally in the ambulance were later taken privately to a nearby hospital.

Daily News

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