[ad_1]
- An ambulance team was shot while driving to meet their police escort to a patient in Khayelitsha.
- A gunman stole the phone from paramedic Melomed 24.
- The robbers tried to remove the crew’s wallets, but the ambulance driver sped up as bullets were fired at them.
An ambulance team was robbed and then shot in Khayelitsha while on their way to the police, who would escort them to the person they were there to help.
The latest attack comes despite calls for ambulances to safely answer calls.
Melomed Communications Officer Shameema Adams said the Melomed 24 ambulance team was on its way to meet with the police escort in accordance with protocol for high-risk “red zones” where ambulance teams have been attacked. previously.
They were attacked around 2:45 p.m. before they could reach their escort.
“The Melomed 24 ambulance strictly complies with this protocol and policy, so before going to this patient the control room contacted the police, however the paramedics were attacked before reaching the police station upon entering the red zone, ”Adams said.
A cell phone was stolen from one of the ambulance team members, and as the thieves were trying to get the rest of the team’s wallets, the ambulance driver ran to safety, but the thieves began shooting at them.
READ: ‘My babies, my babies’ panicked paramedic yelled during attempted robbery
“The paramedics are extremely lucky not to have been hit, but sadly [are] traumatized and we are providing full support and counseling to our staff, “said Adams.
He said that several ambulances, particularly private services, do not feel comfortable answering calls in the red zones, but the company’s paramedics risk their lives to go there and serve the community.
“But based on this very serious and disturbing event, Melomed 24 is re-evaluating whether it should continue to serve patients within these so-called red zones, as the safety of our staff and patients is paramount.”
Arrangements were made for another ambulance to be dispatched to the sick person.
Firefighters have not been spared either, with two robbed during a bogus call in Wallacedene in October.
