ER24 paramedics had to duck and dive behind their ambulance when a 43 year old patient started firing solid ammunition rounds at them with a paintball gun. The incident happened when the paramedics were called out on Thursday afternoon to attend to the patient with a knife stuck in his stomach. The incident happened in Glenwood, Durban.

ER 24 spokesperson Werner Vermaak said that when arriving on the scene, the man pulled the knife out of his stomach and threatened the paramedics. They called for assistance.

The man then started firing with the paintball marker towards the paramedics and their vehicle.The windows of the ambulance were damaged.

“Fortunately, the paramedics were able to find shelter behind the vehicle and were not hit by any of the rounds,” Vermaak  said.

The man refused to be treated and was taken by another ambulance, under police guard, to a nearby hospital.

Vermaak said a case would be opened at the Umbilo police station.