Paramedic who rolled ambulance says he fell asleep driving after 18.5 hour shift

A paramedic who fell asleep at the wheel at the end of a marathon shift has hit back at Ambulance Victoria, who initially rejected his claim he had been on the clock for more than 18 hours.

Jim Havad told 9News that after 23 years as a paramedic, he felt distressed by accusations he had lied about his shift.

“I was really disappointed, frustrated, angry, saddened by it,” he told 9News Melbourne.

He said after working an 18.5-hour shift on the road last week, he ended up upside down in the driver’s seat after falling asleep at the wheel. 

The Victorian Ambulance Union has accused Ambulance Victoria of gaslighting Havad and overworking its paramedics.

“Someone has nearly lost their life in the course of their work and AV come out and gaslight them, it’s just pathetic,” union secretary Danny Hill said.

Ambulance Victoria has today issued an apology to the paramedic and admitted their initial response to his explanation about his shift was the wrong tone.

“I certainly acknowledge the statement that was issued yesterday has caused some distress, that was absolutely not the intent,” Ambulance Victoria’s Danielle North said.

“We absolutely apologise for any distress that was caused.”

They have said he is now on leave.

They’re also investigating what happened that night, and how it was he was working for 18.5 hours.

A memo will be sent out to all paramedics about fatigue and how they are to deal with it on the job.