Medics lured by robbers

Two EMS paramedics have been attacked after being lured to a fake accident scene.

Western Cape Government Health spokesperson Deanna Bessick says male and female paramedics have been left traumatised after they were attacked.

The incident occurred at about 8.20am on Landsdowne Road in Gugulethu.

“A hoax call came through to the EMS Communication Centre on Saturday and the suspects told the call taker that they are in need of emergency assistance as there was a pedestrian who was knocked down,” she says.

“As the paramedics approached the scene, two men began to flag them down as an indication of where the hoax incident was.

“As they reached the suspect, the female paramedic got out of the ambulance to assist and a gun was pointed to her chest. The suspects then proceeded to take her phone.”

She says EMS officials have been attacked 42 times during 2020, and the crew of the latest attack was left traumatised and have been booked off work due to severe stress.

Shakira Hartley, Lentegeur District Manager, says: “There are officials who have been away from work for years due to an attack and are then attacked again upon return.”

Bessick says attacks on staff has a ripple effect on the community as it delays response times.

“The poor response time is most severely felt by the most vulnerable, the pregnant woman who has to wait longer for an ambulance, or the pensioner who is experiencing a heart attack,” she says.

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