Six separate ‘disgusting’ attacks on NT ambulance crews reported on night of November 5

Six separate attacks on Territory paramedics have been condemned by a senior St John NT figure, revealing the frequency of attacks keeps him ‘up at night’. DETAILS.

St John's Territory Response Manager Craig Garraway (inset) condemned the “disgusting” attacks. Pictures: Keri Megalus, Liam Mendes / The Australian

Six separate attacks on Territory paramedics have been condemned by a senior St John NT figure, revealing the frequency of attacks keeps him “up at night”.

St John NT Territory Response manager Craig Garraway told this masthead “this isn’t normal”.

“It’s disgusting – these sorts of attacks are happening every day,” Mr Garraway said.

“It’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.

“Honestly, it keeps me up at night.”

He said the attacks occurred on Wednesday night across Palmerston, Darwin city, Coconut Grove and Alice Springs.

Mr Garraway labelled the attacks on paramedics “disgusting”. Picture: Supplied/St John

The attacks come hours after three NT Police officers were assaulted in Milikapiti what Police Commissioner Michael Murphy labelled as a “disgraceful” attack.

In one of the attacks, a knife-wielding man threatened paramedics attending to a patient in Gray about 11pm, Mr Garraway said.

The man was reportedly angry at the attending crews for where they had parked their vehicle.

The attack forced the crew to leave with the patient.

In the Palmerston attack, an ambulance vehicle was struck with rocks while driving – damaging the vehicle.

“The crew was shocked,” Mr Garraway said.

“It’s obviously quite distressing and unexpected for that crew.”

Attacks on ambulance crews are occurring “every day” according to Mr Garraway. Picture: Che Chorley

Paramedics were also forced to retreat from a job in Darwin city about 6.50pm when a patient became violent towards them.

They had to leave their life saving equipment behind in their rush to safety, Mr Garraway said.

About 10 minutes later a “number of people” used a shopping trolley to attempt to strike an ambulance vehicle in on Dick Ward Drive in Coconut Grove.

Paramedics were not in the vehicle during this incident as they were busy treating a patient.

But due to the attack they also left the scene.

There were two more attacks in Alice Springs, one at 1:30am when a patient became aggressive towards paramedics, Mr Garraway said.

The spate of assaults on frontline workers drew condemnation from Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro.

“Assaulting a police officer, paramedic, nurse, or any other emergency worker is not only an attack on an individual but an attack on the entire community,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.

“Such behaviour is cowardly and shocking, and offenders will face significant consequences.”

These “significant consequences” include mandatory minimum sentencing laws recently introduced by the CLP Government for assaults on frontline workers — even for first-time offenders.

Originally published as Six separate ‘disgusting’ attacks on NT ambulance crews reported on night of November 5