Chinese Whispers

I was reminded of a job I did some time ago. It was a strange thing but, I guess, not that uncommon.

A 999 call came through for a man knocked off his bike by a car. Now, this has the potential to be a "good job" as there may be some good trauma, which means that we get to use our toys and skills. Obviously its better if there is no injury but if there is we can help; do our job.

The lights and sirens were doing their thing as we battered through Northtown towards the scene. On arriving there was no car nor any obvious patient. There was a small group of people near a bin on the side of the road 100m up. We trundled along and asked if they had seen anything. Sure enough they had the "patient" pinned against the large bin and were asking him various things - no idea what. He was obviously agitated and was shouting at these well doers to leave him alone.

I took him to the side and managed to get out from him the information I needed. He was homeless and had been raking in the bins for clothes. He had about 15 bags of clothing on his bike and couldn't balance it as he pushed it along the road. Hence the RTC - man in road off his bike, obviously a hit and run.

Despite my concern that there may be some mental health issues there was nothing wrong with him physically and just wanted to be left alone. The caring members of the public became abusive when they heard we were not taking him to A&E. Words like heartless, bastard and uncaring were banded around. Nothing new but usually it's drunks swearing at me.

(I can imagine the handover - "was pushing his bike along the road and it fell over. He was GCS 15 on arival with no injuries. We've placed him in a collar and on a spinal board as a precaution and he's had 20mg of morphine because, despite the fact he was in no pain, the bystanders thought I was a c**t for not bringing him to A&E resulting in all his worldly goods getting nicked".)

We contacted Control and started away from the scene. Five minutes later another 999 to where we had just been. Same man, same do gooders. This time however the poor man was angry that they would not just piss off and let him live his life. When he saw us again he started shouting even more and thankfully the well meaning passers by got the message and left. Good.

Informed control and headed off..... 999 to man fallen of bike in Same Street.

Back on scene more pesky Samaritans being yelled at by this poor man. The thing was that he was getting a bit pushy at this stage so my colleague contacted control and informed them that the patient was in an aggressive state. We talked to the concerned citizens and to the "patient" and made the peace. The public went on their way and the bag covered bike was trundled off into the dark by a very frustrated homeless person.

He had gone no more than 50 metres when all hell seemed to break loose. Control had informed the police about the aggression and they had sent the armed response unit.

It's good to know that the police are there like that for us, I know that the other emergency services get extra special care from me, but really. I don't know what message was passed on and how it was distorted but the look on this poor mans face was a picture.

I have never seen someone crumble so efficiently in my life. The World landed on his shoulder in the space of 1 second. His shoulder sagged, his eyes lost their shine, his mouth drooped and I'm sure I heard the words "what the f***". I'm sure if I was close enough I would of heard his heart break.

Fortunately the police used the common sense required to do their job and the man was last seen heading to his favourite bench. Don't know what he thought he'd done to deserve this night, but don't think he'll forget it soon. I'll never forget the speed at which someone can suddenly look so completely dejected and set upon.

The thing is that he was set upon. I think it is highly commendable that people take responsibility for their fellow human beings and feel that they are able to call on emergency services when their required. Sometimes though they can do more harm than good. This poor man was looking for a new pair of shoes and ended up surrounded by half a dozen cops in Kevlar and ceramic plate. If people would use their ears and common sense things, sometimes, would be better all round.

Poor bugger.