Three incidents in Dunedin have prompted St John to remind students and the public that damage and abuse of its vehicles, patients and staff is not acceptable and action will be taken. St John said one incident on Friday night involved an intoxicated male who jumped onto a moving ambulance androde on it before falling to the ground 200m later, narrowly avoiding serious injury.
In a second incident a group of intoxicated young people opened the doors of an ambulance while a young child was being treated by an ambulance officer, meanwhile in a third incident a young man kicked an ambulance as it was responding to a call, it said.
St John Coastal Otago Territory Manager Doug Third said the behaviour hindered ambulance officers from doing their job treating sick members of the public.
"We are out in the community caring for the people of Dunedin and incidents like this are hampering the life-saving work we do. Not only is it distressing for patients being treated, it is also upsetting for our people.
He said it was another example of the harm alcohol causes and the poor decision making of those under the influence.
"St John has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse of its people and equipment and any footage that we obtain of people abusing our people or equipment will be passed onto the appropriate tertiary institution or New Zealand Police immediately," Mr Third said.
Otago Coastal Area Prevention Manager Inspector Wil Black said the reckless and irresponsible behaviour shown was completely unacceptable.
