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Naked man attacks Calif. responders

Police said it was determined that the man had been under the influence of PCP

Oakland Tribune

HAYWARD, Calif. — Firefighters attempting to help the victim of a hit-and-run accident instead were attacked by a 43-year-old Hayward man, who stripped naked and ran into the street, yelling obscenities, throwing punches and climbing on a fire truck before being subdued and held for arriving police.

Fire officials said they received a call about a bicyclist being struck by a car around 7:20 p.m. Thursday, but when they arrived, nobody was in the area. A short time later, they got a call from a home on the 300 block of Lion Street saying the accident victim was there.

When fire personnel asked him to lift his shirt so they could see his injuries, he stripped down to his shoes and ran outside.

“Firefighters realized by the look in his eyes that he was on something,” fire Capt. Thor Poulsen said.

The man started climbing on the fire equipment and blocking traffic, attracting a number of spectators, then struck firefighters trying to restrain him. Two were hit but sustained no serious injury. They were able to hold him down until police arrived.

He was taken to the hospital and faces assault charges. Police said it was determined that the man had been under the influence of PCP.

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