October 7, 2024

A paramedic who fell asleep at the wheel at the end of a marathon shift has hit back at Ambulance Victoria, who initially rejected his claim he had been on the clock for more than 18 hours.

Jim Havad told 9News that after 23 years as a paramedic, he felt distressed by accusations he had lied about his shift.

“I was really disappointed, frustrated, angry, saddened by it,” he told 9News Melbourne.

READ MORE: Dismissed for decades, Christie developed ‘terminal’ endometriosis

He said after working an 18.5-hour shift on the road last week, he ended up upside down in the driver’s seat after falling asleep at the wheel. 

The Victorian Ambulance Union has accused Ambulance Victoria of gaslighting Havad and overworking its paramedics.

“Someone has nearly lost their life in the course of their work and AV come out and gaslight them, it’s just pathetic,” union secretary Danny Hill said.

READ MORE: Passengers ‘thought we were going to die’ on horror flight

Ambulance Victoria has today issued an apology to the paramedic and admitted their initial response to his explanation about his shift was the wrong tone.

“I certainly acknowledge the statement that was issued yesterday has caused some distress, that was absolutely not the intent,” Ambulance Victoria’s Danielle North said.

“We absolutely apologise for any distress that was caused.”

They have said he is now on leave.

They’re also investigating what happened that night, and how it was he was working for 18.5 hours.

A memo will be sent out to all paramedics about fatigue and how they are to deal with it on the job. 

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, celebrity and sport via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.

links to content on ABC

9News 

Read More 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *