Thursday, September 27, 2007

** Alberta ambulance collides with dump truck

** UK ambulance set upon by mob

CANADA NEWS

** Two Alberta ambulance workers escaped serious injury Tuesday, when the unit they were riding in collided with a dump truck. The Edmonton Journal (September 25) said the 4 p.m. incident, which occurred as the rig was transporting a 10-year-old girl to Edmonton for tests, played out at the junction of Highways 759 and 39. The rig was passing the vehicle at the time. Both Drayton Valley medics were taken to hospital following the crash. Their injuries were deemed non life threatening.

UNITED KINGDOM NEWS

** South East Coast Ambulance Service brass continue to tout zero tolerance when it comes to attacks on medics. IC Surrey (September 26) said the policy got further public play this week after managers detailed an incident which took place September 15. According to the newspaper, a Surrey unit came under attack from an angry mob when practitioners were hailed to treat a 15-year-old boy who had broken his arm. The rig was surrounded, with teens pummelling the vehicle with their fists. Police were called, arriving a short time later. SECA spokesman Bill Chilcott said providers have been told not to hesitate to activate law enforcement when such incidents occur.