Lone paramedic

By Monique Ebrington
A YARRA JUNCTION paramedic was dispatched alone to treat two teenage boys injured in a car crash last Monday.
The incident highlights a problem that the Ambulance Employees Australia union says potentially threatens the safety of both patient and paramedic.
The Yarra Junction paramedic was stabilising the pair as police arrived at the scene.
Leading Senior Constable Wayne Reynolds of Yarra Ranges Traffic Management Unit says the crash with two boys, a suspected stolen vehicle and police on the way, could have created problems for the paramedic.
“I arrived at the scene and the Yarra Junction paramedic was by himself, one-up, attending to two patients which potentially could have been a dangerous situation for him,” LSC Reynolds said.
The Yarra Junction paramedic worked for around half an hour before back-up arrived from Emerald and Montrose to help stabilise and transport the patients.
Both boys sustained serious injuries, with one being taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital and the other to Maroondah.
According to Ambulance Employees Australia State Secretary Steve McGhie having one paramedic on shift is not uncommon.
“The Yarra Junction ambulance should have had two paramedics on it and I don’t know why they didn’t staff it,” Mr McGhie said.
“This is not an unusual event. There is a shortage of paramedics; there’s definitely a shortage.”
Police believe the two local boys were driving the allegedly stolen 1995 Ford Fairlane along Lusatia Park Road at 7am when the vehicle overturned after hitting an embankment.
The car rolled at least once before colliding with a large letterbox, fence and then finally a tree.
Police described the car’s damage as “extensive” and caused by driver inexperience with the 15-year-old driver and his 16-year-old passenger lucky to survive what could have been a double fatality.
Leading Sen Const Reynolds commended the Yarra Junction paramedic’s work.
The Mail Newspaper contacted Ambulance Victoria who had no response at the time of going to press.