A 36-year-old Aliamanu man is in custody after he allegedly punched an emergency medical technician in the chest while being transported by ambulance to the hospital for medical treatment.

Emergency Medical Services said the incident occurred at 8 p.m. Sunday in Haleiwa when the suspect lunged at the 35-year-old EMT in the ambulance, punching her twice in the chest. This occurred after the patient already verbally assaulted the crew, jumped out of the ambulance and then returned to the vehicle to attack the crew.

Police were called and arrested the man on Kamehameha Highway on suspicion of second-degree assault. The EMT was treated at a hospital.

Shayne Enright, EMS spokeswoman, said in a statement: “Any type of physical or verbal assault on our EMS personnel is unacceptable and is not tolerated. Our emergency medical professionals should not have to worry about their own safety as they care for those who are sick and injured.”

A 36-year-old Aliamanu man was arrested Saturday after he assaulted an Emergency Medical Services worker in an ambulance in Haleiwa, police said.

The man was being transported about 8:10 p.m. when he assaulted the 35-year-old female worker, police said.

Officers arrested the man on Kamehameha Highway for investigation of second-degree assault.