** South African paramedic pair robbed at gunpoint
** Former Colorado Navy medic turned surgical technician sent to jail for stealing fentanyl
SOUTH AFRICA NEWS
** A pair of Johannesburg paramedics escaped with their lives Wednesday morning after being robbed at gunpoint by a supposed patient. That is the word from The Independent Online (Karishma Dipa/November 9) which said the early 2 a.m. incident played out after EMS was urgently hailed to treat a sick person needing help. According to the newspaper, the male practitioners tried, but failed, to locate the address given. Instead, they arranged to meet the caller at an area store. Upon arrival, they were confronted by two armed men who had them lay face down on the ground. The thieves then stole the paramedics’ wallets and cell phones. The thugs then fled the scene. Police have declined to comment on whether or not arrests have been made. No one was injured in the incident.
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A former US Navy medic turned surgical technician from Colorado will serve six and a half years in prison for stealing fentanyl from an operating room. The Associated Press (November 7) said Rocky Allen, who pleaded guilty in July to the crime, was sentenced Monday. According to the news service, Allen took a syringe from Swedish Medical Center in January of this year. The drug was intended for use on an elderly woman who was about to undergo surgery. Allen then replaced the vial with saline. Hospital officials said the bogus med was not used on the patient. Testing has been done to see if Allen, who is HIV positive, tampered with other needles. After serving as a Navy medic at a hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Allen was diagnosed with PTSD.
