Daily Record

Patient tried to set fire to paramedics treating him

Staff attacked on callout

- ROSS THOMSON reporters@dailyrecor­d.co.uk

A VIOLENT patient tried to set paramedics on fire as they tried to help him, it was revealed yesterday.

The man brandished a gas canister and lighter at the paramedics, who were also punched, kicked and butted.

The horrifying incident came after the man took ill at a house in Craigneuk, near Wishaw, Lanarkshir­e, last week.

As paramedics treated him, he came round and attacked them.

An ambulance service source said: “One staff member was kicked in the chest while another was punched and kicked.

“The man then held a canister to one of the staff ’s face and tried to light it.

“They were trying to save his life and got assaulted for doing their job. Workers are sick and tired of this.”

Earlier this year, official figures revealed there were 186 physical assaults on Scottish Ambulance Service staff in 2016.

The GMB’s Scottish Ambulance Service branch secretary John Marr said: “Not many ambulance staff have not been attacked. As a union, we are very concerned about incidents like this.

“Staff understand that a patient may become distressed or disorienta­ted.

“Our staff are trained to deal with situations like that.

“However, some people attack emergency service workers for no reason.”

Police confirmed a man has been arrested and will appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court next month.

 ??  ?? CONCERNS John Marr
CONCERNS John Marr

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