A local paramedic managed to evade serious injury after two colleagues helped him restrain a knife-wielding patient, the chief of Brant-Brantford Paramedics Services, says.
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“I want to commend the quick actions of all of those involved – Sean, Kyle and Mike,” Russell King said. “They managed to get the patient under control.
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“This was a very traumatic incident that could have resulted in serious injury.”
King said the paramedics involved were shaken up by the incident but are otherwise fine and remain on duty. They are being identified by their first names only for privacy reasons.
The patient was picked up at a residence by paramedics and taken to Brantford General Hospital emergency room. The patient and paramedics were waiting for the patient to be admitted to hospital, King said.
During the wait, the patient became agitated and requested a glass of water. After checking with medical staff, the paramedic delivered a cup of water to the patient.
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The patient became more agitated, complained about the amount of water provided, went to the bathroom for more water and became more confrontational, King said.
“The patient threw the cup of water into the face of a paramedic and produced a steak knife-like object and lunged at the paramedic,” King said.
The three paramedics managed to restrain the patient and received assistance from Brantford police officers who happened to be in the hospital at the time and heard the ruckus.
Fortunately, a major tragedy was warned, King said.
Kyle, the paramedic who brought the patient to hospital, was the one who was attacked, King said.
“It is a traumatic situation because as paramedics we’re there to help people,” King said. “He could have been very badly hurt just as others, doctors or nurses, could have been hurt.”
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King said incidents of paramedics being verbally or physically assaulted have been increasing across the province over the last several years. Locally, such incidents have been rare.
King said there is a provincial campaign to raise awareness of violence against paramedics and to remind people that paramedics are there to help people.
“When people call us for help they’re often in dire straits, experiencing something that is really difficult for them,” King said. “They may be frustrated or have feelings of dread but our paramedics should not be physically or verbally assaulted.
“We’re there to help you in your time of need.”
Brantford police have charged 37-year-old Brantford woman with assault with a weapon and possession of a dangerous weapon in connection with the incident.
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