Ed Doney – KFOR
OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma City EMSA paramedic was assaulted while attempting to care for a man who, police say, was drunk. A limousine driver who saw the suspect pass out during a bachelor party told NewsChannel 4 the suspect was a nice guy who didn’t know what he was doing.
But he landed in jail after hurting the one person who was trying to help him.
"Unfortunately, it’s one of the risks that we face out here in the field," EMSA Field Supervisor Mike Roy said.
Roy is referring to paramedics getting attacked while trying to assist people needing medical attention.
Last Sunday at a southwest metro hotel, police say 22-year-old Braydin Michael Farrow started vomiting in the back of a limo after visiting several bars with friends.
The driver called for medical help after seeing Farrow pass out.
But police say when Farrow was being put on an EMSA stretcher, he woke up and punched a female paramedic in the face.
"The officers in that case were fortunately able to subdue this man and take him into custody," Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow said. "He was arrested for not only the assault and battery but also for public drunkenness as well."
The limo driver says the paramedic grabbed her face after being knocked backwards and staggered away.
She’s 5’4" and 110 pounds, Farrow is 6’0" and 190 pounds.
The driver believes Farrow was so drunk, he didn’t know who he was punching.
It’s a situation paramedics encounter often.
"We have patients out there that wake up from seizures or head injuries," Roy said. "Patients that may have been intoxicated that wake up in an unfamiliar environment, scared, not knowing what’s going on, confused. Sometimes it’s just a natural reaction for them to start fighting."
The paramedic, 28-year-old Amanda Price-King, was not seriously hurt and continues to work in what can often be a thankless job.
"It makes them sometimes wonder what are they doing," Roy said. "But the people we have working for us are the best medics in the business. They love their job."
Price-King said she’s been hit four or five times while trying to care for drug users and violent criminals, but never in the face.
She says she understands that it’s just part of the job.
