Ambulance crew criticised over injured man

A good Samaritan who helped an injured man in east Hull has criticised an ambulance crew which refused to help until police arrived.

William Meikleham, dialled 999, after Jason Nolan, 33, was hit over the head with a brick in Greenwich Avenue.

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However, Yorkshire Ambulance Service staff would not treat the victim until officers were on the scene after fearing for their own safety.

"The crew refused to come and help the victim," Mr Meikleham said.

"They told me they wouldn't treat him as it was a hostile environment but the people who attacked him had gone and those standing around were just neighbours.

"Luckily, two district nurses were on hand to help. I thought it was disgusting to see an ambulance crew refuse to help."

Mr Nolan, of Wingfield Road, east Hull, needed stitches to his head and suffered broken ribs. He has spent a week recovering in Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham.

Speaking from there, Mr Nolan said: "I wasn't really aware of much at the time.

"I had taken a brick in the back of the head and was then beaten while on the floor.

"The ambulance did take a while. I was fearing for my life. I could hardly breathe and I just wanted to go to sleep."

But he said he could understand the dilemma facing ambulance crews.

"There were a few people gathered round and maybe they felt they were involved," he explained.

"The crews have to take care of themselves and can't just throw themselves into any situation.

"They have families to think of as well. I do feel they could have acted more quickly but they took care of me eventually and fixed me up."

Yorkshire Ambulance Service has defended the crew's actions.

Jack Ewing, acting assistant director of accident and emergency operations for Hull and East Riding, said: "The welfare of our staff is of paramount importance and every precaution is taken to protect their safety.

"Frontline staff do a difficult job in what are often dangerous situations and in cases where violence has been reported the police are called to support our crews.

"Staff also have a responsibility to protect themselves, their work colleagues and trust assets and are sufficiently experienced to identify risks and safety measures to do so."

Humberside Police are investigating the assault which took place on Thursday, April 30 at 4pm.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Humberside Police on 0845 60 60 222 quoting log 438 of April 30 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.