New Orleans ambulance responding to call at convenience store gets booted

That’s no way to treat the paramedics.

Workers with the New Orleans Emergency Medical Services said they responded to a call at a Quicky’s convenience store Friday, when they claim the store put a boot on their ambulance — causing a flat tire and delaying care to the patient.

The actions of the hypervigilant employees are now being investigated by the New Orleans Police Department, and EMS officials say there’s no reason why the vehicle should have been detained.

“We actually had to delay that patient’s care by calling another ambulance out here to come transport this patient,” Jeb Tate, EMS spokesman, told CBS affiliate WWL-TV.

Paramedics were responding to a call about a man having chest pains. After arriving to the store and putting the patient inside the ambulance, the paramedics heard a “loud noise” as they tried to drive away, Tate said. They then realized the vehicle had been booted.

When someone at the store came to take the boot off, the ambulance was left with a flat tire — forcing the emergency workers to wait for another ambulance.

Tate said the medics left the vehicle with the lights flashing.

A sign on the property reads: “If you leave the property for any reason your vehicle will be booted,” according to WWL-TV.

Store employees declined to comment about the EMS’ claims.