Paramedics called for police backup after suspected drug overdose in Sydney’s west
A MAN died after paramedics trying to treat him for a suspected drug overdose were confronted by ‘dozens of angry men’. It comes just weeks after crews were attacked while trying to revive a critically ill woman at a Sydney nightclub.
NSW
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PARAMEDICS called for police backup yesterday morning after a 25-year-old died from a suspected drug overdose in Sydney’s west.
Police were called to Iris Avenue at Riverwood about 7.45am to aid from NSW Ambulance paramedics who told police the crowd had become “agitated”.
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The incident comes just weeks after a paramedic was assaulted and others were threatened when they were treating an unconscious woman at a Sydney bar in Darling Harbour.
The riot squad was called in to escort the crew and patient to a waiting ambulance after a group of people with the 22-year-old woman became “agitated and aggressive” at the King Street Wharf bar.
After yesterday’s incident, the Australian Paramedics Association released a statement saying paramedics had been injured by members of the crowd but NSW Police said the claims were not correct.
“About 7.45am police were requested by NSW Ambulance paramedics at Iris Avenue at Riverwood, after a 25-year-old man was found deceased,” a NSW Police spokeswoman said.
“Officers found a group of people outside the home had become agitated, police were forced to provide assistance to the paramedics due the behaviour of the crowd.
“There have been no reports of injuries. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
APA Secretary Steve Pearce Secretary Steve Pearce said the death was believed to be related to drugs.
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“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,” he said.
“We had the outrageous situation where a violent mob demanded paramedics hand over a defibrillator and drugs, saying they would treat the patient.”
While Mr Pearce said that more than 150 police attended the scene, NSW Police said that figure was close to 20.