ambulanceCape Argus reports that attacks on ambulance crews in the Western Cape continue unabated with four of the latest assaults happening in one week.  

They bring to 12 the number of attacks on medics since the beginning of the year.  Emergency Medical and Forensic Pathology Services spokesperson Deanna Bessick said another incident happened on Sunday in Lavender Hill, where two paramedics - a male and female - responded to a call.  On their way back to their base they were approached by an armed suspect, as they were exiting Sea Winds.  The crew accelerated to get away and their vehicle was stoned.  The damage is being assessed, but fortunately there were no injuries.  In another incident, a male and female EMS officials were on their way to pick up night shift staff on Saturday when suspects attempted to hijack them at Browns Farm in Philippi.  Regarding the other incidents, paramedics were assaulted by a patient’s family on Saturday in Greenhaven because they wanted the patient to be transported to Groote Schuur Hospital, instead of the Heideveld Community Health clinic.  Another EMS crew was robbed of their medical instruments and cash at Site B, Khayelitsha, on Wednesday.


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