11 January 2002
The attack happened on January 5 in North Belfast as the crew responded to a hoax 999 call apparently designed to trap emergency workers. A train driver was similarly injured when a brick was thrown through his window on January 7.
Patricia McKeown, Unison deputy regional secretary, said that a violent sub-culture had developed alongside the Troubles, illustrated by attacks on a range of public service workers. She predicted that a worker would be murdered unless the assaults end.
Unison members postponed the strike decision for two months in an attempt to resolve the problem.
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety urged those attacking emergency workers to 'cease immediately'.
PFjan2002
