By Kaya 959 Reporter
Just weeks after a KwaZulu-Natal paramedic was killed while responding to a call-out, two ER24 medics were attacked on the N14 in Krugersdorp.
ER24 communications officer Russel Meiring says a large rock was thrown at the vehicle which shattered the side window.
“Quinton and Zelda were busy transporting a patient to a nearby hospital after he had been involved in a vehicle rollover earlier. Quinton had been driving the ambulance when he heard a loud smash from behind.
“The crews managed to evade the hostile environment and found a safe place to stop and assessed the situation. Fortunately, the medics did not sustain any injuries,” Meiring says.
A second ER24 ambulance was called to the scene to transport the patient to a nearby hospital.
“On the scene of the crime, medics found the large rock in the left-hand lane. A witness to the incident stated that two young men had thrown the rock at the ambulance,” Meiring adds.
Local authorities are investigating further.
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Safety measures
ER24 has taken proactive measures to ensure the ongoing safety of staff and patients. Some of the measures include smash-and-grab window tinting and training staff on emergency medical support in a hostile environment (EMSHE).
“ER24 condemns all attacks against emergency workers and asks the community to report any incidents such as these,” Meiring says.
Two weeks ago, 40-year-old Phumzile Dlamini was shot when her crew was ambushed. They were preparing to take a patient to the hospital when they came under fire.
“The patient had been shot at his home in the Mabhanoyini area, near Estcourt. The paramedics had already picked up a patient who had sustained a fractured leg, when they had to detour to the home of the wounded man.
“After securing him, they suddenly heard gunshots coming from outside,” said KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane.
Dlamini died at the scene. She was an Intermediate Life Support paramedic with 10 years’ service.
Her crewmate rushed to the hospital after sustaining three gunshots wounds.
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