Gezi Park protesters provide first aid to police officer

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

Police accepted the demonstrators help after initially refusing to put their colleague on the stretcher. AA photo

A riot police officer stationed near the Taksim Square in Istanbul, who was hurt after being suddenly hit by a piece of wood, received the first medical attention from the demonstrators gathered a few meters away at Gezi Park, hours after heavy clashes at the site.  

The officer was stationed in front of the Atatürk Cultural Center as a strong wind carried away a piece of wood of considerable size which hit his head. 

The protesters brought a stretcher from their own first aid center, installed to attend protesters needing medical help during police interventions, and nursed the officer until an ambulance came to the square.

On the demonstrators’ insistence, police finally accepted their help after initially refusing to put their colleague on the stretcher. Demonstrators also brought a blanket to prevent the officer from catching cold from the rain.

The officer’s medical condition was said to be fine after he was brought to the hospital.