RESERVOIR, VIC. — Around 11am this morning, a 32-year-old Reservoir man allegedly stabbed an on-duty paramedic waiting for a coffee on Broadway, Reservoir. Within an hour, police had swarmed a Winter Crescent, Reservoir home and arrested the alleged offender.
Investigators will allege that the Reservoir man got out of a red Mazda CX-5 and stabbed the paramedic in his neck and face before fleeing in the vehicle.
“The paramedic then called for help over the radio after noticing he had been stabbed.”
“A brave bystander came to the assistance of our member,” Ambulance Victoria said in a statement.
Ambulance chief condemns alleged attack
Ambulance Victoria chief executive officer Jordan Emery said the paramedic received stab wounds to his head and neck, but was in a stable condition.
“I’ve spoken to his partner; it’s obviously very distressing, they have a young child,” he said.
“AV, the [Victorian Ambulance Union], we will all wrap our arms around his family and make sure that they are cared for.”
Mr Emery said he was disgusted by what he called a “continued pattern of violence” directed towards first-responders.
“It is absolutely disgraceful, it continues across all Australian jurisdictions, and it must stop now,” he said.
“We need to spend time in our communities reflecting on how we have come to a place where more than 1,000 paramedics are assaulted every single year in Victoria.”
The male paramedic was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries and remains in a stable condition..
Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill said the paramedic was assisted by a member of the public when the alleged attack occurred.
“A brave bystander did come to the assistance of our member when this assault occurred and helped to fight him off,” Mr Hill said.
“On behalf of our members, we extend our sincere gratitude and thanks to that bystander.”
Mr Hill said legislation needed to be amended to further disincentivise violent behaviour against first-responders.
The 32-year-old man is currently in custody.
Kate Ashton (ABC News, Melbourne) contributed to this report.
Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
