Ambulance driver was not responding to an emergency – COMPOL

Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has clarified that the ambulance that was stopped by a police officer at the junction of Adi Davila and Kings Road at 9 Miles was not attending to any emergency.

This comes after concerns were raised about the police officer allegedly stopping an ambulance transporting a patient.

The incident occurred on 19th February, this year around 07.50am.

According to a video circulating on social media, the ambulance was en route to the nearest hospital with a motionless patient inside when it was stopped by a police officer.

In the footage, the ambulance driver can be heard questioning the officer’s decision, emphasizing that he was responding to a medical emergency.

Eyewitnesses claim the officer did not check on the patient's condition and appeared more focused on halting the vehicle than ensuring the patient received urgent care.

While clarifying, Tudravu says the Police Officer was controlling traffic when he noticed the ambulance approaching normally.

He says as soon as he put up his arm for students to cross, the ambulance then turned on its siren and flashing lights, trying to rush through when it was stopped by the traffic officer.

Tudravu says there was no medical personnel in the vehicle, and the person shown laying at the back was a relative of the driver who was picked from his home earlier.

The Commissioner says this was the second time that the same ambulance had been booked for using the siren and flashing lights when it was not an emergency.

Tudravu says the incident should be a warning to all emergency drivers that have the habit of using their emergency vehicle to avoid being stuck in traffic.

The Police Commissioner stresses that Police Officers have the powers to stop any vehicle, including those rushing due to emergencies.

He adds Police will continue to ensure that our roads are safe for all road users and that spot checks on any vehicle on the road will continue.