Woman allegedly stabbed man in frenzied attack at RPA in Sydney

Health Minister Brad Hazzard says an attack in which a woman allegedly stabbed another patient with a kitchen knife in the triage area of a major Sydney hospital was ‘unavoidable’.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard says an attack in which a woman allegedly stabbed another patient with a kitchen knife in the triage area of a major Sydney hospital was ‘unavoidable’.

Police claim the 29-year-old woman was being stretchered into Royal Prince Alfred Hospital at around 10.30pm last night when she stabbed a 45-year-old man in the back.

Paramedics rushed the man inside where he underwent surgery for the wound. He is currently recovering in a stable condition.

A woman allegedly lunged out at a male and stabbed him during a frenzied attack. Picture: Bill Hearne

MORE NEWS:

‘Sick’: How top doctors ‘used’ Anna Wood’s dad

Hunt for Bad Santa in green Mercedes

Sydney’s homeless shack up outside QVB

Mr Hazzard said he’d received advice that there had been a “full complement” of security staff, meaning four staff members, on shift at the time.

“The initial advice this morning was that here was a full complement of staff and security staff don’t believe there was much that could have been done last night to avoid the situation but we’re certainly looking at that,” he said.

Mr Hazzard said the incident had occurred in the ambulance triage area, adding: “from time to time patients who come in have particular issues and it’s always a challenge - that’s the nature of hospitals”.

Mr Hazzard also said he was pushing for a review into hospital security to be delivered as soon as possible.

A witness told The Daily Telegraph the woman was already being treated by paramedics when the attacked occurred.

“She was getting wheeled in on a stretcher, then she grabbed a kitchen knife from behind her back and stabbed this guy,” he said.

“The paramedic just started screaming saying ‘he’s been stabbed’”.

It is understood that the man had travelled from Wagga Wagga Base Hospital to RPA for unrelated treatment when the horrific incident occurred.

RPA Hospital became a crime scene. Picture: Bill Hearne

A crime scene has been established at RPA. Picture: Bill Hearne

The woman, who had been brought to RPA from her home on Burwood Road in Concord, was arrested at the scene and will undergo a mental health assessment today.

Inquiries into the alleged stabbing are continuing, however police do not believe the attack was targeted.

Hospital crews were on the ground. Picture: Bill Hearne

Emergency services rushed to the man’s aid. Picture: Bill Hearne

Inquiries into the alleged stabbing are continuing. Picture: Bill Hearne

TOONGABBIE STABBING

In a separate incident, a teenager is also recovering in hospital after being stabbed in Sydney’s west overnight.

It is understood that the 19-year-old woman was walking down Cornelia Road in Toongabbie when she was approached by another woman who demanded the teenager hand over her belongings.

The two then allegedly began to fight when the 19-year-old refused.

The teenager suffered multiple stab wounds to her stomach, back, and arms and is currently waiting to undergo surgery in Westmead Hospital.

Meanwhile, police are looking to speak to a woman who may be able to assist in inquiries. She is described as being of Pacific Islander/Asian appearance, aged in her mid-teens and with black hair parted down the middle. She was last seen wearing dark clothing.