A PARAMEDIC was assaulted at the scene of an accident near Abergavenny.

The man, who has not been named, was taken to hospital after suffering facial injuries.

The incident has brought fresh condemnation from a Welsh ambulance chief and provided further evidence of the dangers faced daily by paramedics assisting the public.

Police are now appealing for information following the arrest of two of a group of four teenagers involved in the accident on the A465 Abergavenny to Gilwern road at 8.50pm on Saturday.

Fire crews had to use special lifting equipment when a car landed on its roof under the old railway bridge near Llanfoist.

One of the ambulance crew approached the youngsters, two male and two female, who are believed to have got out of the car.

Police say the paramedic was then assaulted and the four, plus a dog, ran off in the direction of Gilwern.

Police have now arrested two youths. George Murphy, South East regional ambulance officer for the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, condemned the aggression, saying the safety and well-being of front-line ambulance staff was of paramount importance.

"We will not tolerate any incidents of violence and aggression against staff. Unfortunately, incidents of verbal and physical abuse against staff is a continuing problem.

"As part of the trust's commitment to zero tolerance it has invested in extra training on how to deal with potentially violent and aggressive situations. "It is appalling that staff have to learn to protect themselves when it is their job to provide emergency care to communities at their time of greatest need."

A spokesman for Abergavenny police said while attacks on ambulance crews were unusual in the town it was a national problem.

He said: "Unfortunately it is a sad reflection of the society we live in today where anyone in a uniform trying to assist the public is the target of abuse."