EMT stabbed in ambulance by assault victim on the way to hospital

A Jersey City Medical Center EMT was slashed in the stomach and shoulder by an assault victim at about 7 p.m. tonight, Rob Luckritz, director of EMS at the JCMC said.

An EMT crew and police responded to an assault at 15 Bayside Ave. in Jersey City at 6:45 p.m. The assault victim, 50, was being transported to the Medical Center when he became agitated, pulled out a knife and slashed the 34-year-old EMT, whose name was not released.

The ambulance was at the corner of Communipaw Avenue and Grand Street when the EMT was attacked. Police were called at 7:15 p.m., Luckritz said.

"En route to the hospital, the victim became agitated," he said. "He drew a knife on the EMT. They were able to restrain him until police arrived."

The EMT, whose injuries are not considered life-threatening, is being treated at the hospital and is in stable condition, Luckritz said.

"This is not something that happens on a regular basis, but our EMTs and paramedics are in potentially dangerous situations every day," Luckritz said. "We're very thankful that our colleague is safe."

The assault victim was treated at the Jersey City Medical Center. It could not be determined last night if he was charged in the attack on the EMT, but a hospital official said the man was being taken into police custody.