Exploding fireworks thrown at team of paramedics in Bristol - urgent appeal

Two exploding fireworks were thrown at an ambulance in Bristol, before a group of 20 people in hoods and balaclavas surrounded the vehicle. South Western Ambulance Service (SWAS) has launched an appeal in a bid to catch those involved in the frightening incident.

The ambulance service says what happened could have been ‘catastrophic’ as one of the fireworks could have caused an oxygen tank to explode. The incident happened in Birchwood Road in Broomhill on Sunday, November 6 at around 5.40pm.

The ambulance, which had three crew members on board, was sat stationary in the road when the first firework exploded nearby. Shortly afterwards, another firework was aimed at the ambulance. It hit the driver’s side window and bounced off the bonnet.

Two cars then pulled up alongside the ambulance and approximately 20 people in hoods and balaclavas gathered on the other side of the road and behind the ambulance. The ambulance left the area as soon as the cars moved away, and the crew called 999 to report the incident.

Mike Jones, SWAS’s Violence Prevention & Reduction Lead, says: “It’s appalling that a small group of individuals would risk the lives of three colleagues who have dedicated their own lives to saving other people.

“We are incredibly lucky that one of the fireworks did not cause the oxygen tanks in the ambulance to explode, which would have been catastrophic.

“I would encourage anyone who has any knowledge of this incident or knows who was responsible to contact the police or Crimestoppers.“Unacceptable behaviour towards our people will not be tolerated and we will take whatever action is necessary to protect them from harm.

”If you have any information about this incident, please contact Avon and Somerset Police by dialling 101 and quoting log 763 of Sunday 6 November. Or, if you wish to remain anonymous, then call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”