1 May 2001

Ambulance Officer Case Calls For Compassion From St John Ambulance

Party Leader Graham Capill has called on St John Ambulance to be compassionate toward Ambulance Officer Brendan McInnes, following his sentencing yesterday.

Mr Capill said, “St John should not punish Officer McInnes twice, once through the courts and then by saying he will not drive an ambulance again. This appears unnecessarily harsh.

“Mr McInnes has shown true remorse and apologised, something many offenders do not do. St John should recognise the contributing negligence of the victim – McInnes was not to know the elderly woman could not hear. Most drivers rushing to an accident would not consider such a possibility.

“The court has taken his lack of judgement seriously and St John should not add a life sentence to McInnes by saying he won’t drive again.”

Mr Capill continued, “While the importance of a quick response cannot be downplayed, it is also essential to protect the lives of all road users. Therefore it is reassuring to know that, as a result of this case, emergency services have taken measures to ensure a similar incident does not happen again. Now St John’s officers will no longer travel more than 30 km/hour above the speed limit to attend emergencies. This is the best possible outcome in this distressing case but adding further to Mr McInnes’ distress should be avoided,” Mr Capill concluded.

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