St John workers attacked at Pom Fun Run

The St John’s Ambulance was robbed off its vital lifesaving emergency kit this morning while on standby for emergency at the annual Trukai Fun Run in Port Moresby.

St John Ambulance’s Director Health Clinical Service, Naomi Mol, who also was engaged in a tussle to keep her bag, was disgusted at the youths who used the Fun Run with unlawful intentions.

The St John Ambulance’s Director Health Clinical Service and Naomi Mol, who is also the Chief Nursing Officer, had her team of five female staff and a male medical student station here at this bus stop on standby for any emergencies.  

She recalled that the boys were the first runners ahead of the whole group.

When the youths approached them, they asked for some water.

The St John Ambulance team told them there was no water, but the youths persisted and without permission grabbed the medical team’s water bottles.

They were than surrounded and the ambulance bus ransacked by the youths, grabbing anything they laid their eyes on.

The brave ladies fought back with them and manage to retain the defibrillator or the heart starter and the resuscitation bag.

Sister Naomi said the youths however got away with the oxygen kit.

The oxygen kit was found and returned with all its contents removed except the oxygen cylinder.

Sister Naomi said these things are quality and expensive products ordered from Australia and if the St John Ambulance has stock, they will replace them, if not, it will take a while before the accessories are replaced.

She condemns the actions of the few youths emphasising that the public must remember that medical staff are there to save lives.

She suggested more security for such major events and that police are also stationed with them in future.

Author: 
Charmaine Poriambep