Brick Attack on Lifesaving Medics in Trimdon Station
Two doctors and a paramedic from the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) were responding to an assault in Trimdon Station when trouble struck. After assessing injuries, the patient was rushed to hospital by the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) road crew.
Rapid Response Vehicle Targeted
At 7.40pm, just as the GNAAS team was leaving the scene to return to their base in Urlay Nook, Eaglescliffe, a brick smashed into the rear passenger side window and door of their rapid response vehicle.
Paramedic Jamie Walsh said: “The bang it made was pretty terrifying but thankfully we were all okay. Luckily it didn’t hit the centre of the window where our doctor was sitting as it would have come through and could have caused catastrophic injuries.”
NEAS HART Vehicle Also Hit
The NEAS Hazardous Area Response Team’s vehicle was also targeted, with a brick thrown at its bonnet. “This is not a common occurrence so we are very shocked and disappointed by the incident,” Jamie added.
Thankfully, the damage was minor, and GNAAS continued their lifesaving work throughout the night. Jamie lamented that the charity will have to redirect funds to repair the vehicle repair in tough economic times, money usually reserved for helping critically ill or injured people.
Busy Night Despite Attack
Saturday nights are usually hectic for GNAAS, and despite the attack, the team was activated five more times after the incident. Currently, they run a paramedic and doctor team on a rapid response vehicle five nights a week in the North East, and operate a helicopter during the day.
The charity hopes to expand their night service to seven nights but needs to raise extra funding. The annual cost to keep the service running is £7.7 million, and in 2021/22, GNAAS responded to 1,732 critical care incidents via helicopters and rapid response vehicles.
