Two Atlanta police officers were injured Wednesday when a patient became combative on his way to Grady Memorial Hospital.
One officer was kicked in the head, arms and legs -- and was irritated by pepper spray -- while trying to subdue a patient who started fighting after an EMT tried to administer a shot.
The second police officer was bitten and bruised while trying to stop the patient outside of the ambulance.
The incident started at AID Atlanta at 1605 Peachtree Street around 4:15 p.m. Police said an officer went to the nonprofit agency to investigate a 911 hang-up call and was met by an employee who said a patient needed to go to Grady for mental treatment.
The officer rode inside the ambulance, where the patient became combative.
Police said the officer tried to use pepper spray, but it did not affect the patient. At Grady, the patient got out of the ambulance and was met by another police officer.
Police said the patient tried to grab the officer’s gun. Additional police officers arrived to help, and one hit the patient on his leg and arm to stop him.
The patient was arrested and charged with felony obstruction against an officer and emergency personnel.
The injured officers were taken inside Grady to be treated for their injuries. One of the officers remained there Wednesday night, police said.
The patient will be taken to Fulton County Jail after a mental evaluation at Grady.
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