Ambos targeted in rock attack

PARAMEDICS in Alice Springs were targeted in a rock-throwing incident as they drove down the Stuart Highway in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The ambulance received minor damage and crews were able to continue on after being hit by rocks outside the Hungry Jack’s about 2.30am.

“Luckily in this instance the crew wasn’t injured and there was only minor damage to the vehicle,” St John spokesman Craig Garraway said.

“But it’s very disappointing. These paramedics are trying to help people and an incident like this could mean the difference between an ambulance arriving in time to save a life, and being stuck on the side of the road with a rock through the window.”

United Voice Paramedics Union branch secretary Erina Early said rock-throwing attacks were dangerous.

“These constant attacks on paramedics need to stop,” she said.

“People need to respect paramedics. They’re there to do a job and they’re being treated in a way that shows total disrespect.

“Attacks like these can take paramedics off the road and they may not be around to save a life and it could be your life that they have to save, so the assaults need to end.”

Rock throwing is becoming a growing issue in Alice Springs, where a baby was covered in glass two weeks ago after a rock smashed the window of a car as it travelled down Anzac Hill.

In another incident an ATG Downunder coach window

“These constant attacks need to stop” ERINA EARLY

was hit as it travelled through The Gap.

The repair cost the operator more than $1000 to replace the glass, and it was only due to a strong window tint that the rock didn’t go through the glass and hit a passenger.

Police in Alice Springs have previously urged people to come forward as soon as incidents occur.

“Unfortunately some of the notifications we get are the next day or day after, second or third party, through social media or the paper and it’s very hard then to backtrack,” Acting Police Commissioner Danny Bacon said.

“We want to know when they occur as soon as they occur. We can’t guarantee to be able to get police resources there immediately, but it does allow us the opportunity to get there quickly and make some immediate inquiries.”

He reminded people that rock throwing can have fatal consequences.

Around the Territory, four paramedics were assaulted in less than 48 hours as patients shoved, spat on and kicked the female officers.

“Police, emergency service workers and health workers don’t come to work to be assaulted,” Mr Garraway said.