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NSW Paramedic Dies After Fatal Stabbing at Campbelltown McDonald's
by Alloranews
A 29-year-old paramedic with NSW Ambulance has lost his life after being stabbed at a McDonald's restaurant in Campbelltown. The incident occurred when the paramedic was on a break with a colleague, towards the end of his night shift, and was attacked by an unknown man while getting a coffee.
According to NSW Ambulance commissioner Dominic Morgan, aeromedical services performed surgical procedures on the man in an attempt to save his life. "Surgeons worked valiantly, all but futile in this instance," he said at a press conference on Friday.
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The paramedic had just finished a case at the local hospital and was grabbing some sustenance, as any person would expect to do, when he was attacked, said Morgan. "They were taking a break, they had been working hard all night and were taking a break at the restaurant," added NSW Police commissioner Mal Lanyon.
The paramedic suffered multiple stab wounds to the torso and was treated on scene by his colleagues. His colleague made a "code one duress" call for backup, and crews arrived in just four minutes. The police were forced to use a taser to subdue the attacker, a 21-year-old man from Raby who was armed with a knife.
"It is too early in the investigation to identify the motive," said Lanyon. The man is assisting police with inquiries and is known to them "only for fairly few interactions."
The paramedic had been with NSW Ambulance for about a year and was excited to serve his community in the state's southwest, according to Morgan. "This was a man that from five years old, knew that he wanted to be a NSW Ambulance paramedic. He wanted nothing more than to serve his community," he said.
Secretary Susan Pearce of NSW Health expressed her deepest condolences to the paramedic's family and loved ones. "The health system is one big family, and to lose someone in this way is incomprehensible to us," she said, fighting back tears.
The McDonald's outlet where the incident occurred has been cordoned off, and the police are examining security camera footage of the entire area to aid their investigation.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the risks that frontline workers face, even while performing routine tasks. The loss of a dedicated paramedic is a great loss to the community, and his family and colleagues are in our thoughts during this difficult time. As Morgan said, "He wanted nothing more than to serve his community."
“I'm shocked and saddened by the tragic news of the death of a NSW Ambulance paramedic. Every time a paramedic goes out on shift they do so to protect and save our lives. They shouldn't have to be concerned with their own safety while carrying out this essential service,” said in a statement Nathan Hagarthy, State MP for Leppington.