A paramedic was stabbed in the neck and face while he was waiting for a coffee at a café on Broadway in Reservoir, north Melbourne, around 11 am yesterday. According to police, the attack was carried out by a man who approached the paramedic from behind after exiting a small red car. The paramedic sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries and was subsequently taken to hospital.
Following the incident, a brave bystander intervened to assist the paramedic, who managed to call for help over the radio upon realising he had been injured. The alleged attacker fled the scene but was arrested at a nearby residence on Winter Crescent just before 1 pm the same day. The 32-year-old man is now facing charges of attempted murder and has been remanded in custody, with a court appearance scheduled for today.
The shocking incident has resonated deeply within the Victoria Ambulance community. Danny Hill, Secretary of the Victorian Ambulance Union, voiced concerns about the impact of such violence, stating that it creates a pervasive sense of fear among paramedics, who dedicate themselves to helping others. Hill urged the public to treat emergency service workers with respect.
Ambulance Victoria’s Chief Executive, Jordan Emery, expressed his disgust at the ongoing violence faced by paramedics and first responders, highlighting a worrying trend of increasing aggression towards them. He noted that such acts of violence affect a wide demographic, signalling that this issue transcends just drug or alcohol-fueled incidents.
Authorities are calling on anyone who witnessed the attack or possesses dashcam or CCTV footage to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers. The incident underscores the urgent need for societal recognition of the dangers faced by paramedics and the importance of prioritising their safety in order to maintain the integrity of emergency services.