In an audacious crime that took place on the Brisbane’s Gateway Motorway, two individuals were charged following their dangerous engagement with an on-duty ambulance. Queensland Police reported that a stolen Toyota Kluger was driven erratically and aggressively targeted an ambulance responding to an emergency call. The incident unfolded at approximately 6:30 p.m. on February 27, 2024, escalating around 45 minutes later in Capalaba, Brisbane’s east.
Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) paramedics, en route to aid a collapsed and unconscious patient, found themselves in a perilous situation. The driver of the stolen SUV allegedly attempted to engage the ambulance, operating with full emergency signals, in a reckless race. Efforts by paramedics to evade the SUV were met with the vehicle swerving dangerously towards them, prompting an urgent detour to a police station for safety.
The delay necessitated the dispatch of a second ambulance to the patient’s location. Fortunately, according to QAS Assistant Commissioner Tony Armstrong, the patient did not suffer adverse effects from the delay. However, the incident left the ambulance crew shaken, particularly after reportedly having a laser pointer and a “firearm” aimed at them during the encounter.
Armstrong condemned the aggression towards the ambulance staff as intolerable and appalling, highlighting the risk posed not only to the crew but also to community safety at large.
The police acted swiftly, charging a 34-year-old man with a series of offenses including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, unlicensed driving, and unlawful use of a car, among others. He was denied bail ahead of his court appearance. A 29-year-old woman was also charged in connection with the unlawful use of the motor vehicle, with her court date set for March 27, 2024. This alarming event underscores the risks emergency service workers face and the critical importance of community respect and safety.
