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Cape Town paramedic saved by his own bulletproof vest while on duty in Mitchells Plain
There's been yet another attack on ambulance staff - this time in Mitchells Plain. On Tuesday morning, 8 December 2020, two EMS personnel were on a call in Beacon Valley, Cape Town, when they came under attack. The two paramedics were called out to assist a patient in Beacon Valley, which is classified as a red zone area as attacks on emergency staff have occurred in the area before. When they stopped at the patient's home, a man ran towards the ambulance, pulled out a firearm and fired a shot through the driver’s window of the ambulance. The paramedic was hit in the chest but fortunately, he was wearing his own bulletproof vest. EMS’ Deanna Bessick said this wasn’t the paramedic’s first brush with death. “He was previously stabbed in the back with a knife in the same area where he and his colleagues render an essential service.” No arrests have been made. The EMS staffer is part of a project set up more than a year ago, which aims to improve service delivery in Mitchells Plain. More than a week ago, an ambulance crew was also held up at gun point in Khayelitsha. There have been almost 70 attacks on EMS staff this year, according to the Director of Western Cape Emergency Medical Services, Dr Shaheem de Vries. This is compared to 20 incidents that took place in 2019. Dr De Vries said that EMS attacks climbed during the COVID-19 lockdown.
“This year we are sitting on a record 68 attacks. The crew that was involved are part of a special project in an attempt to deal with red zones. This team works closely with the community in Tafelsig”, Said Dr De Vries. “The decision around bulletproof vests is complex. We've had many debates. Ultimately, we have left it up to the staff. If the staff requests it, we must get it. At the moment we are exploring body armour... we've had several engagements with suppliers,” he added. De Vries said that EMS crews are working on ways to build relationships with local communities that have been identified as high risk. Sources: EWN, Cape Talk |
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