Monday, March 18, 2013

** Florida thieves make EMS unit undriveable after unsuccessfully attempting to steal it

** Irish man given only suspended sentence after biting and punching responding paramedics

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A Florida ambulance was taken out of commission Wednesday after thieves unsuccessfully attempting to steal it made it undriveable. CFNews 13 (Marjorie Sturgeon/March 15) said the Orlando incident took place around 6:10 p.m. as the prehospital rig was responding to an emergency call. According to the news site, when the ambulance arrived at the scene, it was parked, with the keys left in the running ignition. Upon the medics return, however, the driver’s seat had been forced forward and the rear air shocks would not work. The unit was also sitting in reverse with the engine off. Unable to back the vehicle up or even place it in park, medics hailed police. No suspects, however, were located.

UNITED KINGDOM NEWS

** A Draperstown man has been given only a suspended sentence for attacking paramedics attempting to aid him after he collapsed face down into a pile of vomit earlier this year. The Ulster Herald (March 16) said the two month stint in the clink was suspended for 18 months. The judge said emergency personnel assailants must be given a strong message to stand down from aggressive behaviour. According to the newspaper, court also heard that Liam Block, 20, attempted to bite and punch medics during the fray on January 25th of this year. When police were hailed, he scuffled with them while foaming at the mouth. Block’s lawyer said his client remembered nothing of the incident. Along with the suspended sentence, he was also tasked with paying both paramedics 150 pounds each in compensation.