A volunteer St Johns Ambulance (SJA) medic was left shaken after being flagged down by a motorist who threatened the volunteer before demanding morphine from the ambulance crew as he forced his way onto their vehicle.
The SJA volunteer was returning back to base having provided essential medical cover at a nearby event.
The occupants of a small blue vehicle with non-UK registered number plates attempted to get the attention of the female driver of the ambulance at which point, assuming they needed medical assistance of some sort, the SJA volunteer stopped her vehicle and pulled over.
Once the female of the blue car had convinced the ambulance to stop, a male passenger got out and it was at this point that he then threatened the female SJA demanding morphine.
The incident occurred at approximately 17:20 on Saturday 7th April at Wheatley Hill in Durham, on the A181.
After forcing his way past the medic and into the vehicle, the male failed to find what he was looking for and both suspects then fled the scene.
A spokeswoman for St Johns Ambulance told The Northern Echo: “We can confirm that a St John Ambulance volunteer was flagged down on Saturday and threatened.
“The volunteer was unharmed but obviously shaken by this incident. The safety and wellbeing of our volunteers and employees is of paramount importance and it is distressing that one of them, whilst returning from providing first aid cover at an event, has been targeted in this way
“The volunteer involved is a very experienced volunteer with many years’ service and will be supported at this time by St John Ambulance colleagues. We are continuing to help police with their enquiries into this incident.”
The female suspect is described as being around 5ft8, in her 30’s of slim build with long, dark, straight hair and large gold hoop earrings. She spoke with an Eastern European accent.
The male suspect is described as being around 5ft10, in his 40’s of large build with a bald head, stubble and a number of tattoos on his lower arm.
He was believed to be wearing leather gloves and also had an Eastern European accent.
A spokesperson for Durham Police said: “Nobody was injured during the incident, but it has left the victim shaken.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 349 of April 7. Alternatively, information can be given to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Appalling.
Sub-editor please note it is St. John Ambulance not St Johns
St.john Ambulance volunteers give lots of unpaid hours .stand outside in all weather’s sometimes get verbally abused .This is a vile act against our crew .hope you had a dashcam. OR someone must have witnessed it with their phone .hope they get them hope the crew are okay ?