NSW paramedics sorry for saying ‘stupidity’ of mob family caused man’s death
The Australian Paramedics Association NSW apologised on Wednesday for suggesting the family of 25-year-old Hamze Ibrahim was responsible for his death by attacking the ambulance officers trying to save his life.
On Sunday, paramedics were called to a Riverwood unit block for a man suffering from a suspected drug overdose. However, according to APA, the family members of the man tried to intervene. There were said to be about 80 angry males quickly gathering at the unit, threatening the paramedics and even allegedly charging at and injuring a female health worker.
Paramedics were forced to fend off angry males who eventually forced them to stop treating the patient who was in cardiac arrest and subsequently died,” APA secretary Steve Pearce said.
He said the men demanded a defibrillator and drugs, believing they could treat the man themselves. The paramedics apparently had to barricade themselves inside the unit until police officers, including the Public Order Riot Squad, came to rescue them.
“On this occasion, the stupidity of these people has taken the life of their family member,” Pearce had claimed. “We don’t want any more people to face the horrifying situation of their loved ones dying because paramedics are unable to treat patients after threats of violence.”
Pearce has called for faster police intervention, saying attacks on paramedics in the Bankstown area had become a regular occurrence.
Ibrahim’s relatives did not appreciate Pearce’s strong words, though. They said their pain had been amplified by the “reckless and unfounded” comments. They also said that Ibrahim didn’t take drugs but instead suffered from sleep apnoea, believing he suffered cardiac arrest.
They said in a statement that the “inaccurate comments” blaming them for Ibrahim’s death were “totally devoid of compassion and empathy.”
The paramedics union has since apologised for insinuating that the family members impeded assistance.
“APA NSW acknowledges any statement… to the effect that Mr Ibrahim’s family members either contributed or were in any way responsible for his death is wholly incorrect and should not have been published,” the statement reads, as quoted by Nine News. “APA NSW further acknowledges at no time did Mr Ibrahim’s family members obstruct or threaten paramedics whilst they were administering medial assistance.
Unfortunately, despite doing everything that they could, paramedics were unable to revive Mr Ibrahim.
“APA (NSW) deeply regrets publishing its previous media release and unreservedly apologises for any grief, embarrassment or distress it caused to family members of Mr Ibrahim.”
