Stabbing of on-duty paramedic leads to attempted murder charge

Victoria Police charged a 32-year-old man in relation to the stabbing of an on-duty paramedic just after 11am on Thursday.

It is alleged the paramedic was stabbed outside a café on Broadway in Reservoir, investigators alleging that “a male got out of a small, red car and stabbed the paramedic to the upper body before fleeing in the vehicle”.

The 32-year-old man was later arrested at a property in Winter Crescent in Reservoir just before 1pm on Thursday and has been charged with attempted murder.

On Thursday, Ambulance Victoria CEO Jordan Emery released the following statement:

“I am sickened by the serious and deeply distressing occupational violence incident involving one of our paramedics in Melbourne today.

“This morning, one of our MICA paramedics was stabbed while in uniform on duty.

“He is stable and in hospital, receiving full medical care as well as support from Ambulance Victoria and the Victorian Ambulance Union.

“I want to acknowledge his Ambulance Victoria colleagues who came to his aid, and our colleagues from Victoria Police and the member of the public who intervened.

“I have visited him this afternoon and he’s in good spirits while receiving treatment, and we will continue to support him and his family throughout his recovery. Our priority is, and will continue to be, his care, safety and wellbeing.

“I want to say this clearly and unequivocally that no paramedic or first responder should ever come to work and be assaulted. I am sickened to my stomach. We’ve had enough. This is appalling and unacceptable and needs to stop.

“We will continue to support our paramedic, his family, our colleagues and our partners at Triple Zero Victoria and Victoria Police.”

Image credit: iStock.com/STRINGERimage. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.