Alan Simmon’s traumatic experience at the Wellington protest

It is now a year since my hip replacement at Wellington Hospital. The fractured hip was caused by the riot police on Hill street at 6.15am on March the 2nd 2022 but the hip operation was not for a few days later. We still are waiting for the police and their lawyers to consider what they are going to do about it. I cannot do most of the things I used to such as walk of rocks etc that I did most of my life as a fishing and hunting guide. The police have acknowledged they did break my hip but have said it was my fault for being there. Obviously we don’t accept that sort of rubbish. During my 4 and half hour wait for an ambulance I was in intense pain and eventually my leg stared to go numb. It was cold and drizzling as well. I rang 111 at about 6.15 am and the medics at the protest first aid tent agreed to wheel me down to the end of Kate Sheppard Place which was out of the protest and police operation zone and a safe place for an ambulance to come. It was also a couple of minutes drive from their depot. Despite numerous calls to them by Jules who was a mandated out ambulance staffer, a doctor, the Maori wardens ect no ambulance was forth coming. Police were standing 20 meters from us and had the road to the protest blocked and another group of police were based 50 meters from us. Numerous people were walking down to the railway station of to go to work and things seemed very normal down their while around parliament all hell was breaking loose. An ambulance came slowly cruising down the street and our team ran across and talked to the driver through the window. he would not stop except he was forced to by our team of medical people but then drove off slowly. By now I was in intense pain and starting to go into shock. Asked what level the pain was by a doctor I replied 1-10 no it was 15… So despite even a doctor telling the ambulance dispatch center we need one now they did not respond. All the while parliament grounds was full of medics in green uniforms and they can be seen only meters from me in the video as and they did not help. Eventually after 4 1/2 hours an ambulance did turn up and I have to say the staff were excellent and they gave me pain killers etc to be able to get me onto a stretcher. SO full marks to them, they were great. I was in hospital for 6 days and again I cannot complain about the service and treatment. Wellington hospital was brilliant even while it was in full lockdown. The nurses where kind and took good care of me. So thanks heaps Wellington Hospital and staff. The police arrested our van even thought it was parked in a legitimate parking space and at best should have had no more than a parking ticket but no it was forklifed up and put in a compound. Thats another story but it did provide difficulties to get it returned. On the way back home to Turangi I was sore and tired and the driving was hurting so Sue who was driving decided I should check into a motel and rest. Even after explaining to the motel owner at Foxton beach that I was urgently in need of rest she would not allow us to have a room as we did not have vaccine passports. If I knew the name I would tell you as we don’t want any support going that way but I cant recall which motel it was. Well now one year has passed and the pain is now all gone. I still am struggling to do many things but everyday it does get easier. So great shout out to the ambulance staff who did pick me up and great shout out to the doctors and nurses at Wellington Hospital. Bad shout down to the ambulance service for ignoring me for 4 1/2hours, to the ambulance driver who wouldn’t stop and to the police medics who ignored me and to the police posted 20 meters from us who did not want to help. It was a shameful day in New Zealand’s history and more will come out as time rattles on. And lastly thanks a million for the thousands of get well messages and support. Its brilliant to be one of the freedom family.

Alan Simmons -Facebook