Monday, June 11, 2007

** Tennessee ambulance workers file assault charges against patient

** New York EMS Lieutenant alleges verbal abuse by deputy chief

** Johannesburg paramedics fired upon by car thief

UNITED STATES NEWS

** Tennessee ambulance workers in Maury County have filed assault charges against a patient. The Daily Herald (D. Frank Smith/June 11) said the accusation relates to a Wednesday incident in which medics transported a wheelchair bound female diabetic complaining of kidney pain. According the the newspaper, details of the alleged altercation are not available. However, patient Rose Anglin, 53, denies any violent encounter took place. She did say, however, one of the EMTs pinched her. Anglin has not been taken into custody because of her medical issues. She is expected to appear in court July 10.

** A New York investigation is ongoing into a 2006 incident in which a female EMS lieutenant was allegedly verbally assaulted by a deputy chief. The New York Post (Ginger Adams Otis/June 10) said Carol Benjamin, who works out of Queens, said her superior let loose with a profane tongue lashing when she refused to work additional Fourth of July shifts. Benjamin, whose complaints were joined by others who witnessed the incident, said she has heard nothing regarding the complaint in nearly a year. The deputy chief, however, continues to function as one of her supervisors.

SOUTH AFRICA NEWS

** Johannesburg paramedics responding to a Quellerina call Sunday were fired upon by a car thief. Iafrica.com (June 11) said the shooter was attempting to escape from a car crash scene when the incident occurred. The mishap took place during a police pursuit. No one was injured. The gunman remains at large.