'Six people needed to restrain man who attacked ambulance crews'
Six people were needed to restrain a man who attacked ambulance crews covering the North Down area on Saturday night.
It meant that ambulance cover was reduced from three crews to one and is the second weekend in a row paramedics have been assaulted in the area.
NIAS responded to a 999 call for a young man who was reportedly under the influence of drugs.
While being transported to the Ulster Hospital he attempted to assault the paramedic in the back of the ambulance who sustained back and shoulder injuries.
At the Ulster Hospital another crew came to help, but hte young man again became violent, kicking out and injuring another two crew members.
It eventually took six people, including PSNI and South Eastern Trust security staff, to restrain him before he was taken into the emergency department.
NIAS Chief Executive, Michael Bloomfield, repeated his concern about the impact these attacks have on both staff and local communities: “I am appalled that, for the second consecutive weekend, NIAS staff have been subjected to an attack in the North Down area leaving them unable to continue with their duties which are so much relied upon by the community.
"The men and women of the Ambulance Service leave their homes and families to go and serve the most vulnerable in our community when they most need it.
"These patients include those who may have suffered cardiac arrest or been involved in serious Road Traffic Collisions and who have families who need our skills and support.
"We cannot provide our service if staff are taken off shift as a result of injuries sustained from assaults, and once again ambulance services in this area were considerably reduced last night as a result of this attack.
"My immediate concern is for those staff who were the victims of last nights incident.
"While their injuries are not serious, I am concerned about the long term emotional impact.
"While we will do all we can, as an organisation, to support them in their recovery, the solution to this lies within society as a whole.
"These attacks are totally unacceptable and, while thankful for their support to date, I would appeal to parents, guardians, community leaders and others with influence to redouble their efforts in helping us protect our staff through engaging others on this issue.
"Once again, I would also re-iterate our view that those who commit such attacks should face the full rigour of the law, including custodial sentences."