ER24 to open criminal case after patient opens fire on paramedics with paintball gun
ER24 has noticed an escalation in attacks on paramedics in recent months and years. However, it is rare that a patient attacks their personnel.
ER24 will be opening a criminal case today after two of their paramedics came under attack from a patient in KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.
According to ER24's Russel Meiring, paramedics were called to the scene of a house in Glenwood following a dispatch call for a 43-year-old man with a knife embedded in his stomach.
The man's family members opened the gate for the paramedics.
"According to the paramedics on the scene, the man pulled the knife out of his stomach and started to threaten them," says Meiring.
"Moments later the man produced a paintball marker and started firing solid ammunition at the paramedics and their vehicle," he says.
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"Multiple rounds damaged windows on the side of the ambulance. Fortunately, the paramedics were able to find shelter behind the vehicle and were not hit by any of the rounds."
Meiring says police and further resources arrived on the scene and the man later calmed down.
However, he refused to be treated and only be transported to hospital.
Another ER24 ambulance transported the man under police guard to a nearby hospital.
"A case will be opened at the Umbilo Police Station," says Meiring, adding that police officers on the scene seized the paintball marker and other objects.
Meiring says ER24 has noticed an escalation in attacks on paramedics in recent months and years, also with regards to other emergency services.
However, he says it is rare that a patient attacks their personnel.