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       Ambulance Victoria paramedic fell asleep at wheel after 18.5 hour
       shift
        
 (HTM) Source
        
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       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.
        
       Jim Havad said after 23 years as a paramedic, he felt distressed by
       accusations he lied about his shift. (9News)
        
       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.
        
       Jim Havad said after 23 years as a paramedic, he felt distressed by
       accusations he lied about his shift. (9News)
        
       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.
        
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