Doctor angry about “aid’

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34031, 20 December 1975, Page 16

Doctor angry about “aid’

A motorist who moved two injured passenger from a badlydamaged car near Sumner last night was criticised by a doctor who attended the accident. Dr M. F. Fahey and an] ambulance arrived at the scene near Shag Rock minutes after receiving an emergency call, to find that the injured had been moved. A late-model car had been heading towards Christchurch when it crashed through the railings at the sharp bend by Shag Rock. The tide was out and the car landed on rocks. The two persons in the car were taken in a Morris Minor towards Christchurch, passing the ambulance on the

i way. When the condition of one of the injured deteriorated, the motorist stopped his car to seek help. CALLED BACK The ambulance, which by that stage was at the scene of the accident, was recalled to where the car had stopped. Dr Fahey said he was distressed that the motorist had: moved the injured pair. He had carried them a mile from the scene of the accident without knowing the seriousness of the injuries. “One of the passengers was showing signs of a potentially serious injury when I examined him,” said Dr Fahey. "The point 1 am making is that injured accident victims should not be removed before help arrives if there is any element of doubt.”