London Ambulance Service worker commended after confronting knifeman

A member of staff at London Ambulance Service has received a Chief Executive’s commendation after risking his life to rescue two women threatened by a knifeman.

Luke Rapela, who works on Non-Emergency Transport Services (NETS) ambulances, was driving through Battersea earlier this year when a woman ran out of a house and into the road in front of his ambulance, screaming and visibly distressed.

Facing armed attacker

Luke stopped the ambulance. When he got out to help her, he saw a man approaching him with a knife around 50cm long.

Luke said: “It was a kitchen knife but the biggest I’ve ever seen, and he was shouting that he was going to kill me.

“I called for police on my radio and told him to stay back. He then turned and kicked the door of the house open.”

Brave Luke risked life

Luke’s crewmate stayed with the woman, but when the attacker went into the house she shouted, “My daughter is in there.”

Concerned for her daughter, Luke followed him inside, where the man continued to threaten him and tried to stab him.

Luke, who previously worked in security, said: “I’ve worked in environments where I’ve had to deal with confrontation and aggression before.

“In that moment I just focused on trying to keep him talking and calm. I told him my name, he told me his, I was trying to build a rapport.

Police arrest knifeman

Gradually the situation de-escalated until the man dropped the knife.

The police arrived quickly and arrested the man.

Father-of-two Luke said: “When the police saw the size of the knife, they looked genuinely surprised. At the time I didn’t really process the danger I was in.

“I just tried to stay calm and keep talking. That was the main thing — keeping him engaged and stopping it escalating further.”

Luke only joined London Ambulance Service a year ago as an ambulance person working in NETS.

He hopes to eventually become a paramedic through the Service’s apprenticeship pathway.

Commended for courage

He has now been recognised with a Chief Executive’s commendation.

Proud of Luke

Chief Executive Jason Killens KAM said: “Luke’s actions were exceptionally brave and he showed remarkable presence of mind in an extremely dangerous situation.

“While we would never expect our people to place themselves in harm’s way, we are incredibly proud of him for his commitment and courage.”