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WATCH: Traffic congestion in the Bluff causes delay in emergency responses

Paramedics responding to a shooting incident had to drive into oncoming traffic to get to the scene.

PARAMEDICS, while responding to a shooting incident on Bluff Road on August 31, struggled to make their way through congestion due to numerous trucks obstructing their way. They are urging authorities to speedily rectify the problem.

“Trucks have blocked all entries to the Bluff and the harbour, making it extremely difficult for paramedics to respond to emergencies in the Bluff and harbour areas since August 26. The trucks are parked all the way around the port, causing major traffic jams. All entries towards the Bluff are obstructed by trucks occupying all the available lanes. On August 31, paramedics battled to get to a scene where a security official was injured in a shooting,” said ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson.

ALSO READ: Armed response officer shot, saved by bulletproof vest

Paramedics responding to the shooting incident had to drive into oncoming traffic to get to the scene.
“This places our staff as well as all road users at risk of injury,” Jamieson said.

Ward 66 councillor Zoe Solomon said she was aware of the incident and was addressing the issue of truck congestion in the port area, which affects hundreds of residents who travel along the above-mentioned routes.

The following routes are severely affected:

• Umbilo Arterial – both directions from Bayhead Road to M7
• Sydney Road from Moore Road
• Bayhead Road from Umbilo Road
• Maydon Road from Moore Road – on-ramp to M4 Southern freeway jammed closed
• M7 Edwin Swales from Wakesleigh Road to Bluff Road
• Umbilo Road from M7 to Rick Turner Road

“Numerous calls have been made to authorities who are trying to assist. We encourage a resolution as people’s lives are at risk if paramedics cannot get to patients on time,” added Jamieson.

WATCH: https://youtu.be/c9QsdIGTmdw

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