WASHINGTON — The District’s Department of Health is issuing a warning to emergency responders after a troubling report of a group of ATV drivers surrounding and stopping a working ambulance in the area of Washington Hospital Center and Children’s National Medical Center.
A commercial ambulance crew told the Department of Health they were swarmed by about 30 ATV and motorcycle riders on March 23 on Michigan Avenue near North Capitol Street.
The incident description said the group blocked the ambulance, which was carrying an intensive care patient being transported to a children’s unit, and forced it to stop even though the ambulance used its lights and sirens in an attempt to get by.
The crew reported one of the drivers opened the ambulance door and accused the ambulance driver of cutting the group off.
No one was hurt and the patient was not affected.
D.C. Fire and EMS said it was not one of its crews, but it is aware of the situation.
In a memo to EMS crews on April 4, the Department of Health suggested that crews be aware of their surroundings, ensure doors are locked and windows are rolled up and remain calm, so as to not “provoke a situation.”
“EMS agencies should let their personnel be aware of this incident, and discuss how they would handle this situation,” the incident report said.
