Three paramedics from ER24 were held at gunpoint during the early hours of Wednesday morning while trying to save the life of a five-year-old girl.
Shortly after midnight, an ER24 ambulance and rapid response vehicle were dispatched to a house in Khayelitsha for a five-year-old girl suffering from seizures. The paramedics were in the ambulance stabilising the little girl when one of the doors flung open and a gun was pointed at them, ER24 spokesman, Werner Vermaak, said.
The mother of the girl was also in the ambulance at the time of the incident.
According to the paramedics, two suspects, believed to be in their twenties, demanded cellphones and wallets. One of the suspects asked for the rapid response vehicle’s key. While the paramedics were held at gunpoint in the ambulance, the second suspect went to the rapid response vehicle with the key.
It is believed he used the key to open the vehicle, which was locked at the time, instead of the remote, which caused the emergency sirens to be activated.
Both suspects immediately fled the scene. They got away with cellphones and a GPS from the ambulance.
Paramedics continued their care for the little girl and transported her to Khayelitsha District Hospital.
A case of armed robbery was opened at Khayelitsha Police Station. Fortunately no one was injured in this incident.
