CALL 111 AND EXERCISE CAUTION AT ACCIDENT SCENES: ST JOHN AMBULANCE URGED PUBLIC
THE National St John Ambulance is urging members of the public to exercise caution at accident scenes following widely circulated video footage of an incident in Port Moresby where an overturned vehicle was rolled back onto its wheels and subsequently lost control, sliding down a steep hill.
National St John Ambulance Deputy Medical Director, Dr Arabella Koliwan, said the public’s desire to help in an emergency is admirable, but untrained actions can cause more harm than good.
“The safest thing you can do in an emergency where someone is trapped in a vehicle is to keep the scene safe.
Keep people well away from the vehicle. Assess the area for safety. If it is safe to approach, apply the handbrake, switch off the ignition, and place rocks under the tyres to stop the vehicle from moving.
If there is petrol or oil leaking, inform the 111 operator so fire services can be activated. If the casualty is having difficulty breathing, help to keep their mouth and airway open—but do not remove them from the vehicle unless there is a clear and imminent danger, such as a fire,” said Dr Koliwan.
Too often, National St John Ambulance paramedics arrive at scenes where well-meaning bystanders have taken matters into their own hands, unintentionally worsening injuries or creating dangerous situations.
In the video, bystanders are seen turning the vehicle upright on a main highway.
The vehicle, which appears to have been in neutral with no handbrake applied, then begins to roll uncontrollably down the slope, putting lives at risk.
This incident highlights the serious danger of intervening at crash scenes without proper training or equipment.
If you witness an accident, call 111 for the National Ambulance Operations Centre. Let the operator know if you believe police or fire services are also needed. Our professional responders are trained to assess and manage vehicle crashes safely.
