[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]
The following is a BBC article:
Two volunteer paramedics “seeking only to do good” must be convicted for using sirens and flashing blue lights, the High Court has ruled.
Judges ordered “with regret” that Michael Issler and Mordechai Bamberger breached traffic laws while attending a crash in Greater Manchester in 2012.
The pair volunteer for Hatzola, a Jewish fast response ambulance service.
They were originally acquitted but the High Court upheld an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP).
However, the judges suggested the law needed to be changed.
The DPP lodged an appeal against Bury Magistrates’ Court’s decision to acquit the men because their vehicles were being “used for ambulance purposes”.
‘Saddened’
After hearing the case, Mr Justice Jay said road traffic legislation did not allow “first responder” voluntary organisations like Hatzola to use sirens and flashing blue lights without escaping sanctions.
But Mr Jay and Lady Justice Rafferty said there might be scope for Parliament to change the rules, given advances in medical science.
Mr Issler and Mr Bamberger had used sirens and flashing blue lights, or blues-and-twos, while responding to a car and motorcycle crash in Prestwich on 14 October.
They told police they were from Hatzola Fast Response. They were then allowed to offer medical help until an ambulance arrived.
The pair carried equipment including defibrillators, oxygen, and neck braces, as well as dressings, medications and some drugs in their vehicles.
Trained paramedics
Hatzola’s response time is “under two minutes” compared with seven to 10 minutes for the NHS ambulance service, the magistrates’ court had heard.
Justice Rafferty said: “I am saddened that medically trained citizens seeking only to do good, part of a scrupulously professional organisation with high standards and conspicuously shunning gratuitous publicity, find themselves effectively constrained in their efforts.”
Hatzola originated in the US about 40 years ago with the objective of preserving life, and has since spread to the UK, the court was told.
It provides emergency first-aid cover in defined areas, such as Salford and parts of Bury, both in Greater Manchester – primarily but not exclusively for the Jewish community.
In Salford, there are 20 Hatzola members, of which 10 are trained paramedics, including Mr Issler and Mr Bamberger.
(Source: BBC)
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11 Responses
and on the other han you hope the one of these prosecutors when they need their ser you hope the one of these prosecutors when they need their services and cant get them
This is such a turnofff and so totally wrong. The good always get knocked down for being and doing good.
To my fellow Hatzalah brothers: “DON’T DESPAIR, HASH-M IS WITH YOU!! YOU WILL PREVAIL!
Keep up your valiant work, this is just another נסיון to overcome. Hopld you heads high and don’t allow the רשאים to hamper your חסדים.
How do you appeal an acquittal? I guess they don’t have a problem with double jeopardy in the UK?
what are the ramifications of being convicted? I hope they’re not facing jail time….
Rebbe Yid #3: That’s part of why the U.S. colonies declared independence from Britain. In Britain defendants can be put in double jeopardy; in the U.S. they cannot due to the Bill of Rights in the Constitution.
This is not double jeapody. The facts of the case are not in dispute. The magistrate court failed to enforce statute and the Director of Public Prosecutions appealed the ruling. This can happen in the USA also. The fact that the law needs changing is not about basic freedom, just plain common sense.
Ive and plenty of Brits have had plenty of experience with the London NHS Ambulance. Unlike the report it usually takes 30-40 mins for the ambulance to come especially in london, not 7 mins.
thats english law? By yidden life overides everything. Meshuga, what potzen!! Written by a fellow yid in london
While the ruling of court is very saddening, Hope they don’t face jail time, But read the full sentence of the Judge, what a Kiddush Hashem!!!
BBC Publishing in detail the amazing work of Hatzolah.
this is pure hatred & jealousy from the UK ambulance service. they can’t admit that hatzolah members are quicker & save many lives especially when every second counts. too bad it will take one of their lives for them to learn that every second counts
time for action: need to show up at a goyish emergency 30 seconds too late & prove to them how you could’ve saved a life if you had only used your lights & sirens
Whoa – I think some people are over-reacting. Nothing in this article implied any Anti-Semitism of any kind. It seems to be a question of whether they broke the law (which they would have done knowingly in order to save lives,) or if some loophole could be found to exempt them. The Judge apologetically ruled that no loophole could be found, and admitted that the law ought to be changed to accommodate first responders.
Even in New York when Hatzolah first began, they were illegally speeding to destinations, knowingly taking risks. On many occasions they were stopped by Police on the way to a call and had to radio to have someone else take over the call. Either the law was changed later, or Hatzolah was granted whatever status they needed to be included in the existing law.
In this specific case, the Police allowed them to continue taking care of the call, even though they were charged afterwards with breaking the law.
Chazak V’ematz