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Ambulance struck by bullet while transporting patient

The ambulance was en route to the hospital when gunfire erupted; no one was injured in the incident

By EMS1 Staff

PHILADELPHIA — An ambulance was hit by a stray bullet while transporting a patient to the hospital.

ABC6 reported that gunfire erupted around the ambulance while on the way to the hospital, but no one was hurt. The paramedics even returned to work the same night.

“If the attendant would have been sitting in there, they admit they would have been missed by mere inches,” Local 22 Firefighters Union Trustee Ray Vozzelli said.

Philadelphia Deputy Fire Commissioner of EMS Fire Operations Gary Loesch said the paramedics got down on the floor of the ambulance and protected the patient until the gunfire stopped. They called the police shortly after.

“It’s unfortunate our people are put in these positions when people hear that firefighters take their lives in their hands every day, they don’t realize medics and EMTs take their lives in their hands every day, and it’s not by fire, but by incident and situation they’re put into,” Loesch said.

The incident is currently under investigation.