Five injured: Ambulance staff ‘spat on and punched’ in serious Hawke’s Bay crash

A rolled car has come to rest in a Twyford paddock after a Tuesday afternoon crash. Photo / Paul Taylor

Five people were injured, one seriously, and emergency staff assaulted after a serious single-vehicle crash in Hawke’s Bay on Tuesday.

An ambulance officer was spat on and punched when responding to the crash at 3.35pm near stopbanks beside the Ngāruroro River, off Ormond Rd, Twyford.

A Te Whatu Ora Hawke’s Bay spokesperson confirmed five people presented to Hawke’s Bay Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

“A male in his 20s and a female in her teens both self-discharged from hospital. Two females, one in her teens and one in her 20s, are being treated in hospital, both in a stable condition. A teenage male is being treated in ICU, and is in a serious condition.”

Hato Hone St John ambulance staff said three ambulances went to the scene, along with two operations managers and one rapid response vehicle, and officers treated five patients and transported them to Hawke’s Bay Hospital in Hastings.

“Hato Hone St John can confirm that a female ambulance officer was assaulted while tending to a patient involved in a crash on the Ormond Rd river entrance in Hawke’s Bay shortly after 3.30pm yesterday,” Brendon Hutchinson, Hato Hone St John district operations manager – central south, said.

“The ambulance officer was spat on and punched in the arm. She did not require any medical treatment and is being supported by the organisation. We thank New Zealand Police for their timely assistance, and we are supporting them with their investigation.”

Hutchinson said while Hato Hone St John understood emotions could run high at emergency incidents, the organisation had a zero-tolerance policy towards abuse or assaults on our staff.

“Our people are caring, non-judgmental medical professionals who come to work to make a difference to the lives of New Zealanders, and any abuse or assaults against our people is never acceptable under any circumstance.”

Acting Senior Sergeant Darren Pritchard said he was “incredibly disappointed” that those involved in the crash assaulted police and ambulance staff who responded to the crash and were trying to help them.

“There is absolutely no excuse for such behaviour.”

Pritchard said he believed that “almost every factor known to contribute to fatal crashes was involved – including speed, alcohol and seatbelts not being worn”.

“From what we know so far, we can advise the car was travelling at high speed prior to the crash.

“The driver lost control and the car rolled several times.

“At least one of the passengers was ejected from the car in the crash.”

All five occupants of the car were aged 14-27.

Police said an investigation into the crash was ongoing and charges are being considered.

Mitchell Hageman joined Hawke’s Bay Today in late January. From his Napier base, he writes regularly on social issues, arts and culture, and the community.