PICS: Patient opens fire at paramedics with paintball marker
Responding to a call about on Thursday afternoon, two ER24 paramedics were forced to duck for cover and flee behind their ambulance when a patient with a knife stuck in his stomach turned on them and began firing solid ammunition rounds at them with a paintball gun.
The medics arrived at the home of the 43-year-old man in Glenwood, Durban just before 5pm.
“Upon arrival at the property a woman and her daughter opened the gate for the paramedics. They were escorted to the kitchen where they found the man with a large knife in his stomach,” said ER24 spokesperson Werner Vermaak.
“According to the paramedics on the scene, the man pulled the knife out of his stomach and started to threaten them. They immediately called for further assistance.
“Moments later the man produced a paintball marker and started firing solid ammunition at the paramedics and their vehicle.
“Multiple rounds damaged windows on the side of the ambulance,” he said.
“Fortunately, the paramedics were able to find shelter behind the vehicle and were not hit by any of the rounds.”
Vermaak said police arrived on the scene and the man later calmed down.
The man refused to be treated and was taken by another ambulance, under police guard, to a nearby hospital.
Vermaak said a case would be opened at the Umbilo police station.
A case will be opened at the Umbilo Police Station. Police officers on the scene seized the paintball marker and other objects.
