Crash scene chaos

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34107, 20 March 1976, Page 3

Crash scene chaos

I f.V.Z. Press Association) HAMILTON, March 19. Bystanders swarmed over wrecked cars, dragging injured people on to the road and hampering rescue workers’ attempts to treat the casualties after an accident in Hamilton last night. Ambulancemen today strongly criticised the more than 150 members of the public who crowded the accident scene. Nine people were injured in the two-car smash at the intersection of Lake Road and Marama Street about 10.30 p.m. and resuce workers worked for more than an hour to cut people from the j wreckage. Three were in a serious condition in Waikato Hospital early today. line of the ambulancemen first at the accident just after 10.30 p.m. said the bystanders had “badly hampered” rescue work. “The crowd was swarming over the wrecked vehicle and they had no idea of the nature of the injuries.

‘’There were about 150 of, them. They must have come from everywhere and the\ made the situation chaotic. “They were unco-operative and they would not get out of the way. One or two, asked if they could help, but. on the whole they were just a curse. "Bystanders were clambering all over the vehicles. Peopl” were yelling at us' and getting abusive because we weren't working fast ■enough for them. We were doing all that was humanlv possible." The spokesman said the first driver at the crash had ascertained which patients had to go to hospital first.l and had radioed for help. But bystanders were indiscriminately dragging patients from cars, and stretchers from ambulances. !