Outrage Follows Fatal Attack on Ambulance Worker in Nordanstig
A deadly attack on an ambulance worker in Nordanstig raises serious safety concerns among healthcare unions in Sweden.
- • A female ambulance worker was murdered in Nordanstig during a call-out.
- • The union demands improved safety protocols and access to risk information.
- • A flagging system is proposed to warn ambulance crews of potential dangers.
- • Colleagues express deep concern over increasing violence against ambulance workers.
Key details
A tragic incident in Harmånger, Nordanstig, saw a female ambulance worker brutally murdered during an emergency call-out, sparking significant concerns among her colleagues regarding safety protocols in the ambulance service. The attack occurred following an alert about an assault, leading to the victim being attacked with a sharp object before she could be transported to the hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. A 25-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of murder, according to police reports.
This incident marks a grim first in Sweden: it is reported to be the first time an ambulance worker has been killed on duty. Following the attack, Ambulansförbundet, the union representing ambulance personnel, expressed outrage at the conditions leading to this tragedy. Union representative Henrik Johansson asserted that the incident could have been averted, highlighting that the response was a known risk assignment that should have included police backup. He emphasized that had the ambulance crew been made aware of potential dangers, they would have waited for police support before proceeding with the call.
Johansson called for improvements in safety protocols, notably a system for flagging dangerous individuals and addresses based on police records, warning that current safety measures are insufficient.
Colleagues of the deceased victim described her as a calm and experienced professional, deeply admired and committed to her role. They voiced shared concerns about the increasing violence faced by emergency services, with many feeling that safety has dangerously deteriorated in recent years. Despite the challenges, ambulance workers are frequently dispatched into situations without adequate protection or prior knowledge of potential risks.
Further echoing these safety concerns, Sineva Ribeiro from Vårdförbundet stated that it is unacceptable for ambulance personnel to work under such dangerous conditions, urging for a reassessment of protocols to ensure their protection. The union hopes for timely changes to regulations and improved safety measures for all emergency personnel in the wake of this tragedy, as the ongoing threat to their safety continues to raise alarm within the profession.