A patient at a Sydney hospital has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly pouring petrol on three fellow patients before setting one on fire.
Raymond James Dungay, 48, was charged with two counts of attempted murder following the alleged attack at Prince of Wales hospital in Randwick on Tuesday evening.
Emergency services were called to the hospital at about 10.45pm on Tuesday, police said on Thursday. Detectives allege Dungay, a patient at the hospital, poured an accelerant on two men aged 54 and 63 and a 64-year-old woman.
“The 48-year-old then allegedly set fire to the 54-year-old man, before it was quickly extinguished by hospital staff,” New South Wales police said.
The 54-year-old spinal patient, Randovan Banic, sustained minor burns and was observed as a precaution. The 63-year-old man and 64-year-old woman were treated for minor injuries and remained in a stable condition, police said.
Dungay was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder, common assault and two counts of intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He was expected to appear at a bail hearing on Thursday.
A spokesperson for the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District said staff had responded quickly and notified NSW police.
The “health district is offering support and care to the people impacted by this distressing incident,” the spokesperson said, adding there was no ongoing risk to patients and staff.
The NSW health minister, Ryan Park, said the incident was “very concerning and serious”. He apologised to patients and staff, saying he had asked the department to undertake a review alongside the police investigation.
“I want to acknowledge the swift actions of hospital staff for preventing the situation from escalating further,” he said. “Violence in our hospitals is unacceptable.”
The opposition health spokesperson, Sarah Mitchell, said the incident was “beyond unacceptable in NSW”.
“Safety must be a non-negotiable in our public hospitals,” she said.
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