Paramedics rescue beaten cabbie

Two County of Simcoe paramedics took quick action early Wednesday morning to help a Barrie taxi driver who was being assaulted by a man that tried to flee without paying a fare.

Paramedics Craig Hassberger and Steve Hagerman were returning from a call in Barrie to the county's Stroud Paramedic Base at about 4 a.m., when Hassberger and Hagerman noticed a taxi cab stopped in the middle of the road at Yonge Street and Minet's Point. They stopped to assist the driver, who was outside the vehicle and was being beaten by a man who had been his passenger.

"We couldn't believe what we were seeing," said Hassberger. "We didn't really think about it, we just got out to help because we saw that the taxi driver was in serious trouble. He was getting punched in the head and he needed help fast."

Hassberger radioed for police while Hagerman and a paramedic student that was riding with them got out of the ambulance and approached the men who had fallen to the ground during the struggle. When the attacker saw the paramedics, he fled but was quickly apprehended in a nearby parking lot by Hagerman.

"He didn't get far when we apprehended him and brought him back to the ambulance, before turning him over to Barrie Police Service," said Hagerman. "I think he was shocked to see us there because there was nobody around there at that time. I don't know what would have happened if we hadn't been there, but it wasn't looking good for the taxi driver. We are just pleased that we were in the right place at the right time for him."

The taxi driver was treated at the scene by the paramedics.

County warden Tony Guergis thanked Hassberger and Hagerman.

"We are always proud of our paramedics and the service they provide to the community," said Guergis. "Today, they exemplified not only that high quality of service but also acted as good Samaritans as well."

"Paramedics Hassberger and Hagerman have gone above and beyond the call today," said paramedic director Andrew Robert. "With little regard for their own safety, our paramedics came to the aid of someone in distress and our service is proud of them."