06/02/2017

Ambulance Crews Come Under Attack In Lurgan

Ambulance crews have come under attack in Lurgan .

A man smashed the windscreen of an ambulance with an oxygen cylinder that he stole from the vehicle while the staff were treating a man who had been stabbed at around midnight on Friday, 03 February.

The ambulance is now unavailable to use until it is repaired next week.

Alliance Upper Bann Assembly candidate Tara Doyle said: "This ambulance crew was working on behalf of the entire community, treating a man who had been stabbed, so it beggars belief anyone could carry out such an attack and attempt to damage a life-saving vehicle. 
The emergency services work incredibly hard to keep us safe and well, so any attacks on them should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. It is nothing other than simple thuggery. 
I appeal to anyone with information on this incident to pass it to police immediately."

Sinn Féin's Nuala Toman said: "Ambulance service staff and health workers provide absolutely crucial services to our communities.

"They literally provide life-saving services; and an attack like this, when they were responding to such a serious and violent incident, is nothing short of disgraceful.

"Neither the health and safety of the public, or of these staff should ever be put at risk like that. Ambulance Service staff and other health workers should be treated with respect and dignity as they carry out their invaluable duties."

(CD/MH)

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