The St John Ambulance have temporarily suspended their services in Kundiawa, Chimbu Province following an attack on one of their Ambulances.
CEO of St John Matt Cannon said the incident happened last week Thursday at the Sipagkul village in the Gumine District while it was responding to a severely injured individual in the area.
“As the ambulance approached Sipagkul village, they had people throwing stones and wielding offensive weapons.”
“We don’t understand why they were acting hostile towards an ambulance.”
“A rock made contact with one of the side windows of the ambulance, smashing the window and causing damage to the side of the vehicle.”
“The matter has been reported to the Kundiawa Police.”
A very disappointed Mr Cannon said, this is the second such incident in two months where rocks have been thrown at ambulances.
He said the poor actions of one individual affects the services to the whole population.
“We are disappointed that when events like this happen, ambulances should have free passage.”
“We support all sides, we support all people, we don’t discriminate.”
“If someone’s in need of help, our job is to get to them and provide that help and get them that emergency medical treatment they need.”
Meanwhile, there will be no services available as the vehicle is currently being repaired in Goroka.
Matt Cannon said this incident occurred at a time when the secondary ambulance for Kundiawa is currently having a routine maintenance, and it cannot immediately step-in to assist.
