A paramedic has been bitten during an emergency call out in Co Antrim.

On Wednesday evening, an ambulance crew was called to attend to a man in the Shore Road area of Whiteabbey. He needed treatment for injuries to his face, but when the paramedics arrived, he verbally and physically assaulted them.

A paramedic called for police back up and as they waited for it to arrive the patient – who appeared to be drunk – bit another paramedic on the hand.

He was arrested at the scene.

The paramedic was taken to the Antrim Area Hospital to be treated for his injury.

Speaking about the attack, a spokesman for the Ambulance Service said: "These verbal and physical assaults are a major source of concern for the trust as its staff should never be subject to abuse when responding to emergency calls, as their sole reason for being there is to provide medical help to those who need it.

"The trust would encourage the prosecution of all those who abuse and assault our staff as they go about their duties and would call for the heaviest possible penalties to be handed down to anyone found guilty of such an act."

(JP/CD)