Two St John officers being supported after 'horrific ordeal'
St John has condemned an alleged assault on two of its paramedics as they were doing their job as unacceptable. The assault is said to have happened at 11.15pm on Friday at City Medical Centre in Napier, St John territory manager Brendon Hutchinson said. This is an unacceptable act on our colleagues. They have endured a horrific ordeal while on duty to help others, Hutchinson said. We are supporting our ambulance officers while working with police and hope the assailant will be apprehended quickly. READ MORE: * Man, 69, charged with indecent assault on Hamilton ambulance officer * Christchurch ambulance officers punched, emotionally 'shaken up * Battered and bruised paramedics say they're fed-up with being attacked An ambulance officer was treating a patient when a man entered the back of the ambulance and allegedly became aggressive. The second paramedic returned from the medical centre and together they managed to get the man out of the vehicle. The man then entered the front of the ambulance, allegedly smashing the front windscreen and hurling equipment at the ambulance officers, Hutchinson said. The ambulance officers were allegedly shoved and bruised, with one sustaining minor injuries, but they managed to drive away and alert ambulance communications and police to the situation. The patient was uninjured and transported to Hawkes Bay Hospital in a moderate condition. A police spokeswoman said no arrests had been made and enquiries into the incident were ongoing. Both ambulance officers were stood down from duties and were being supported through this difficult situation, Hutchinson said. He said St John had systems, alerts and supportive measures in place to ensure staffs security and well-being. St John also supported the private members Protection for First Responders and Prison Officers Bill and the introduction of tougher penalties for those who assault emergency workers, he said.