The first doctor present on the spot the evening of the attack of July 14, 2016 in Nice explains to
20 Minutes
to be still "in a state of post-traumatic stress", six years later, and while a long trial must open Monday in Paris without the author of the facts, killed by the police.
At the Nice University Hospital, “there is always psychotrauma, among all kinds of staff”, confirms Pierre-Marie Tardieux, the head of the emergency department.
“We try to forget, to sort out, to store these traumatic images somewhere, but we will remain marked for life.
On the evening of July 14, 2016, when the truck driven by terrorist Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel took the lives of 86 people on the Promenade des Anglais, Dr. Daniel Navarro was already there.
Responsible for managing the advanced medical post installed at the request of the city of Nice this evening for fireworks, this 57-year-old emergency doctor explains to
20 Minutes
that he is still "in a state of post-traumatic stress", six years after this attack, this night "of nightmare", and while a long trial must open Monday in Paris without the author of the facts, killed by the police.
"What we have seen, we have to get used to it, learn to live with it", resolves the doctor.
The movement of the crowd, the damaged bodies strewn on the ground, the blood… Like dozens of other caregivers, but also the members of the police and emergency services intervened after the attack, for many still followed by specialists , the practitioner saw his life turned upside down by what he experienced that evening.
“There are images that I can no longer see”
“Being an emergency doctor, you feel prepared for anything.
But there, it was something else, a level of horror that goes beyond understanding, ”describes the doctor who had to change paths after the attack.
“I became a general practitioner.
There are images that I absolutely cannot see anymore.
Even a violent film or series, I can't do it.
»
The practitioner is also convinced that “the ophthalmic disease” he contracted after July 14, 2016 is directly linked to the attack: “it is caused by stress, so there is no need to look further”.
He also says he is going through a divorce.
For these first responders, the consequences were multiple.
And they spread.
In the long term.
In their personal life and even beyond.
Sleep, depression, family problems… At the Nice University Hospital, “there is always psychotrauma, among all kinds of staff”, confirms Pierre-Marie Tardieux, the head of the emergency department.
“Like many, I was recalled that evening.
And the impact of everything we saw, of this unexpected and the intensity of everything that had to be managed is very important.
»
Our file on the Nice attack
The attack on the basilica and even the Covid caused "resonance"
Too much sometimes.
Like Dr. Daniel Navarro, many caregivers have expressed the need to change service.
At the Lenval hospital, the children's establishment on the Promenade des Anglais which took care of the youngest victims, "40% of the emergency, resuscitation and block staff" was "renewed during the first half 2017,” says management.
Some of these professionals who intervened on the evening of July 14 and the days after felt the need to be followed up immediately by specialists.
Others did not express it until much later.
“It depends on the profession, on the character of each one.
I saw police officers, firefighters arrive during another intervention which resonated with the attack, explains Damien Scolari, psychologist within House for the reception of victims of the city of Nice.
When they thought they could manage with this on their end, the accumulation of events was too strong.
»
In some cases, it was the other attack in Nice, that of the Notre-Dame basilica, which was decisive: "they said to themselves 'there, it's starting to do a lot, we don't have time to breathe' “, he continues.
“For nurses, the Covid also had an impact.
Just being called back from vacation, being told to be ready to intervene rekindled the tensions of July 14, ”explains Damien Scolari, who intervenes in particular to process “certain images and the emotions that are there. linked ".
And six years later, he still follows many of those who were on the front line that night.
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