A 17-year-old has been arrested in Derry after 'repeatedly' assaulting two ambulance workers on Wednesday, police say.
The PSNI said that attended the Rossnagalliagh area following a request for assistance from Northern Ireland Ambulance Service at approximately 8:30pm on August 31.
It's understood that once police arrive at the scene, an aggressive male was located. Ambulance colleagues reported that they had repeatedly been assaulted while attempting to assess the male’s condition.
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The teen male was arrested on suspicion of two counts of assaulting an ambulance worker, and resisting police. Whilst in custody the male attempted to assault a police officer and was further arrested for assault on police.
A spokesperson for Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said that both colleagues had to be transferred to Altnalgevlin Hospital's A&E department following the assault.
"The crew was called to attend a male patient who had been found on the street and in obvious need of help," said the NIAS spokesperson.
"When the crew arrived at 20:23 the patient was fully conscious and in an agitated state. As the patient was being transferred into the ambulance, he struck out, rendering a blow to the upper body of one of the crew and then proceeded to kick the second member of staff.
"PSNI were called to assist the crew and they took the patient/assailant into their custody. NIAS then despatched a second crew to the scene to provide aid to their injured colleagues who both attended the Emergency Department at Altnagelvin Hospital
"Despite previous campaigns and calls for these assaults on ambulance crews to cease, we find that physical and verbal assaults continue at a rate of more than 12 per week. This situation is totally unacceptable.
"We have previously referenced the impact that these attacks have on the communities we serve in terms of crews being stood down mid-shift.
"We have talked about the potential for the loss of life as a result of reduced cover following these assaults. While this potential still exists we are even more concerned about the impact of such assaults on the health and well-being of our staff and, by extension, their families."
Meanwhile, PSNI Inspector Moyne said: “The male remains in custody at this time, assisting with police enquiries.
“The emergency services work hard every day to serve our communities. Incidents such as this are unacceptable and should be condemned by all.
“Our investigation is continuing and we are keen that anyone who may have witnessed this matter, contact us by calling 101, and quoting reference number 1865 of 31/08/22.”
Alternatively, you can submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.
You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org.
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