North West Ambulance Service Paramedic targeted by a laser pen

NWAS statement.

Last week while attending a life-threatening emergency, one of our senior paramedics was targeted by an unknown person who shone a laser pen at him and his colleague, affecting his sight. We take this extremely seriously and want to send a clear message that this will not be tolerated.

On Friday evening, after arriving at the scene of a cardiac arrest  the paramedic was about to leave the cab of his vehicle, he noticed a green laser shining in their direction. Unfortunately, he couldn’t turn away before it went in his eye.

Shortly after, his eye began to ache, and he could not read his tablet screen to update medical records. Fortunately, he was assessed at the hospital and cleared to resume duties. However, the consequences both for him and his patients, could have been much worse.

Sector Manager Rhonda Stanger says, “It’s really disappointing to hear of this incident as it was incredibly dangerous. Thankfully, the staff member’s vision wasn’t permanently affected; however, it could have easily been different.

“Also, importantly, it could have meant they were unable to help the patient who required emergency care. And, during the period the paramedic was getting checked out at the hospital, he was unavailable to respond to other people in the community who called 999.

“These types of actions against our staff are completely unacceptable. We’ve informed the police, and we will always support our staff and push for prosecutions.”