West Midlands Police (WMP) have arrested a man who is suspected of a ‘sickening’ attack on a paramedic that has left him with a broken jaw.
Response team officers were called to Winifred Avenue in Coventry just before 21:00 hours last night (5th April) by a crew who needed urgent assistance with a violent patient.
Paramedics were sent to the address after the male had complained of ‘breathing difficulties’.
However, when the medics arrived after a blue-light response, the male lashed out as he demanded an inhaler. He then punched one of the paramedics in the face, breaking his jaw in the process.
The paramedic is still in hospital receiving treatment for his injuries.
The suspect then left the scene in a car, colliding with the emergency ambulance as he sped away.
Road Policing Unit (RPU) officers located the vehicle at around 13:00 hours today in Holyhead Road, and the male occupant was detained.
He was arrested on suspicion of wounding and driving off from the scene of a collision. He was also arrested for criminal damage after it was alleged that he damaged a door at a GP’s surgery.
Coventry Police Chief Superintendent Mike O’Hara said:
“Attacks on any emergency services staff will never be tolerated, but this is a particularly sickening incident right now given that NHS workers are on the frontline of our national efforts to tackle coronavirus.
“I think I speak for the whole of Coventry in wishing the paramedic well and we hope him a speedy recovery.”
West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said:
“This was a horrendous assault on one of my staff.
“At a time when the NHS is under more pressure than at any time in its history, to lose an experienced paramedic from a cowardly act like this, beggars belief.
“I am determined that we will work with police colleagues to bring anyone who attacks my staff to justice.”
Attacks on Blue Light staff can be prosecuted under the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act which comes with the potential for harsher sentences.
The suspect is currently still in police custody.
Image credit: West Midlands Police
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This story fails to mention that the patient has a mental illness which nhs have failed to treat on a number of occasions…sending him home after hes made attempts on his own life….it is also failing to mention that the patient was told me was faking symptoms which triggered the response