Road rage driver hurls abuse at paramedics for 30 minutes non-stop
A road rage driver honked his horn and shouted abuse in a non-stop 30-minute tirade at paramedics while they were trying to treat a patient.
An East Midlands Ambulance Service crew said the motorist "unleashed a barrage of verbal abuse" and beeped at their vehicle for more than 30 minutes in Chesterfield on Tuesday.
The details of the incident have been passed to the Ambulance Service's security team who will investigate further.
It comes as a paramedic in Nottinghamshire complained on Wednesday that a vehicle had parked too close to the ambulance that they struggled to get a stretcher in and out when attending to a patient.
No matter how loudly you shout at our crews, how much you beep your horn, or how nasty the notes you leave on our windscreens, if we are treating a patient they will always come first. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/luIppmuTcw
— East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (@EMASNHSTrust) March 20, 2018
In a post on the Ambulance group’s Twitter page, East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust wrote: “Sometimes we will need to block driveways or roads so that we can access a patient experiencing a medical emergency.
“Please be patient with us, one day it could be you or your family member who needs our emergency help.”
The post has gained support online with many people thanking paramedics for their difficult job.
(2/4) Unfortunately, while treating a patient in #Chesterfield today, one motorist chose to continuously honk their horn for around 30 minutes and then unleashed a barrage of verbal abuse on our ambulance crew when they returned to their vehicle. pic.twitter.com/OVMvaDuYGg
— East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (@EMASNHSTrust) March 20, 2018
Doreen Marsh wrote: "It wouldn't bother me in the slightest if you block my way for however long it takes for you to achieve a safe level to transport your patient."
While Paul Carter wrote: "I don't get it.. I'd love to get into the mindset of these individuals who do this and ask WHY do they do it .. it's so disrespectful and wrong .."
(3/4) Sometimes we will need to block driveways or roads so that we can access a patient experiencing a medical emergency. Please be patient with us, one day it could be you or your family member who needs our emergency help. pic.twitter.com/8ERV7nki9K
— East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (@EMASNHSTrust) March 20, 2018
(4/4) The details of this incident have now been passed on to our security team who will investigate further. We will not be releasing any additional details.#notsoEMAZING pic.twitter.com/ciqB3QmyaG
— East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (@EMASNHSTrust) March 20, 2018
It comes as East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust issued a reminder to drivers on Wednesday to leave space behind ambulances for stretchers.
The warning added that one of their technicians struggled to get a stretcher in and out of the ambulance due to a vehicle obstructing the doors.
For the life of me, I cannot understand why people think that this is acceptable?? We need space to get the stretcher in/out, plus room to manoeuvre the Ambulance! @EMASNHSTrust pic.twitter.com/lvTQveV9Qd
— Jake Marriott (@AmboManJake) March 21, 2018
In February, a woman made an apology in court after admitting she penned an angry note which was left on an ambulance which was parked up to treat a patient.
Kirsty Sharman, 26, admitted writing a note which read: "If this van is for anyone but No.14 then you have no right to park here.
"I couldn't give a s*** if the whole street collapses. Now move your van from outside my house."
The court heard that she also went into the street and abused a male paramedic, telling him: "Move your f****** van.
Last November, West Midlands paramedics were told to move their ambulance as they treated a heart attack patient in Dudley.
Also that month, another note was left on the windscreen of an ambulance in Small Heath, Birmingham, which read: "You may be saving lives but don't park your van in a stupid place and block my drive".