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Portland Paramedic Jolted By Police Taser

POSTED: 7:07 am PST December 18, 2007
UPDATED: 7:34 am PST December 18, 2007

A Portland paramedic was caught in the crossfire when a police officer used a Taser while trying to subdue a suicidal man Sunday.

Police and paramedics had responded to an apartment complex at 128th Avenue and Foster Road.

Officials said paramedics and police were trying to control a suicidal man who had stabbed himself. They cuffed him to a stretcher, but he broke free.

When paramedic Dan Carlton and police jumped in to hold him down, an officer pulled out his Taser.

Carlton said that's when everything became a blur.

"I just saw this big blue light and then I went flying backward," Carlton said.

The police officer didn't fire any probes. Instead, he simply used the Taser like a stun gun.

Carlton said he wasn't sure if the Taser actually touched him or if he was jolted through the patient. He said every muscle in his body cramped up at the same time.

American Medical response officials are investigating the incident, but there were no plans for legal action.

Carlton said he doesn't blame anyone.

"Everybody was doing their part," Carlton said. "Things can happen all of a sudden that you don't expect."

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