‘Intimidated’ paramedics left scene without patient
AMBULANCE Victoria has blamed sections of a football crowd who “threatened and intimidated’’ paramedics for a delay in treating a player with a broken leg.
Ambulance Victoria emergency operations executive director Mick Stephenson said paramedics called to a Ballarat league match on Saturday left fearing for their safety.
An ambulance arriving at the match between Melton South and Sebastopol left without picking up the player.
“An ambulance arrived at 4.36pm and the two paramedics were verbally threatened and intimidated by a group of people,’’ Mr Stephenson said.
“The male and female paramedics activated their duress alarm and left the scene.
“A paramedic in Ambulance Victoria’s communications centre was also verbally abused during a subsequent phone call to triple-0.’’
A police escort was called to accompany a second ambulance crew to the ground and the Melton South player, aged in his 20s, was taken to hospital about 6.20pm.
“Paramedics need to treat patients in an environment where they are safe,’’ Mr Stephenson said.
“The behaviour of these people had unnecessarily delayed the patient’s medical treatment.’’
Spectators challenged that version of events, claiming as few as one person shouted at the paramedics and queried why it took so long to respond to a call first made at 3.47pm.
Victoria Police confirmed officers escorted an ambulance to the ground because the paramedics “were verbally threatened and intimidated’’.
“If a report is made, police will investigate,’’ it said in a statement.