By ANEEKA SIMONIS
EMERGENCY rescuers working to free sometimes critically injured drivers from car wrecks or safeguard roads to avoid possible further tragedy are being abused by passing motorists in the Hills.
As rescuers worked to free a trapped person in a crashed car on Saturday 19 March, an Emerald Fire Brigade volunteer was tasked with blocking off the road.
The fire-fighter reported “copping a reasonable amount of abuse” from motorists frustrated with the closure, with at least one driver reported as failing to obey instructions set out by the CFA officer during the rescue.
And it’s not an uncommon occurrence, according to the Emerald crew.
Emerald SES, who extracted the person from the crashed car on Beaconsfield-Emerald Road, also weighed in on the issue, denouncing motorists’ behaviour in emergency closure situations.
“Our members also have experienced the public not following directions,” read a statement on the Emerald SES Twitter page.
The abusive drivers’ details were passed to police, according to Emerald CFA which used their social media page to reiterate why people needed to take care around road closures.
“We close a road for a variety of reasons. Some include to protect all emergency personnel attending the incident (or because) the road is not passable,” the statement read.
“If we close a road, it means it’s closed. This means no stopping and asking if you can get through.
“Finally, there is no need for verbal abuse towards our members because they have told you the road is closed.”
The crash occurred at about 5.30pm on Beaconsfield-Emerald Road, in Emerald between Station Avenue and Ozone Avenue.
Emerald SES workers put their support behind the rescue team working to protect more than just crash victims.
“The CFA members only close a road to keep community and rescue personnel safe. Thanks to the CFA we all went home safe,” a statement read.
A member from Cockatoo CFA was reportedly hit by a driver during a rescue operation nearby in the last year.
A statement from the Cockatoo Fire Brigade read: “One way to help us when we are helping the community is to be patient at roadblocks. They are set up for a reason and are paramount for everyone’s safety at an incident.”
