Idiots endanger lives

Minister for Emergency Services Neil Roberts and Queensland Ambulance Service Commissioner David Melville have expressed disbelief and anger after a metal bolt was thrown from a motorway overpass smashing an ambulance windscreen and injuring a paramedic this afternoon.

About 1.50pm an ambulance en route to an emergency was travelling with lights and sirens along the Pacific Motorway. As it travelled under an overpass near Palm Beach Avenue, the windscreen was struck and smashed.

The paramedics, after initially pulling over, continued to the job they had been tasked as it was close by.

A second crew also went to the job and took the patient to hospital.

One of the paramedics has since gone to Gold Coast-Robina hospital with glass lodged in his eye.

“I’m utterly appalled that anyone could endanger lives like this but to do it to an emergency vehicle which was on its way to helping a person in distress is unbelievable,” Mr Roberts said.

“I would ask people to think twice before engaging in such idiocy.”

QAS Commissioner David Melville praised the dedication of the paramedics who continued to on the job to help a person in need.

“Despite the initial shock these paramedics put the needs first of the patient they were on their way to help,’’ Mr Melville said.

“Paramedics have a difficult job at the best of times, this kind of behaviour is just shocking.”

Mr Melville joined Mr Roberts in urging the public to report any suspicious behaviour on overpasses and to be mindful of such incidents.

Police were notified of the incident.

For more information contact Department of Emergency Services Media on 3247 8186