CHARLESTON, W.Va — Two Kanawha County Paramedics are telling their story about being in an ambulance with a man accused of trying to stab them.
Lauren Sparks and Jonathan Taylor spoke to WCHS-TV about Saturday’s incident.
Kanawha County Sheriff Mike Rutherford says deputies had found 27-year-old Richard William Thornton of Parkersburg along a road in Elkview on Saturday.
Paramedic Jonathan Taylor says his training kicked in when he and his partner were confronted with a patient armed with a knife in the back of their ambulance.
While being transported to a hospital in Charleston by ambulance, Thornton removed the straps securing him to a cot.
Rutherford says Thorton then pulled out a knife and tried to stab a medic. The driver stopped and both medics left the ambulance, and Thornton chased after them. He was later located at a convenience store.
Taylor credits his training for knowing how to handle the situation.
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