Cancer patient helped save neurosurgeon Michael Wong in Western Hospital attack

A COURAGEOUS cancer ­patient has emerged as one of the heroes of a brutal hospital stabbing, yelling at the ­attacker to stop and hurling a bag at his head.

Cancer patient Andrew Di Lallo who helped save the life of surgeon Michael Wong. Mr Wong was attacked by a knife wielding man in the foyer of the Western Hospital in Footscray.Picture:Ian Currie

A COURAGEOUS cancer ­patient has emerged as one of the heroes of a brutal hospital stabbing, yelling at the ­attacker to stop and hurling a bag at his head.

Leukaemia sufferer Andrew Di Lollo and a group of staff took on the ­assailant as he ­repeatedly stabbed neurosurgeon Michael Wong.

Their remarkable acts of bravery saved the specialist surgeon’s life.

One worker lured the ­attacker away long enough for their injured colleague to be dragged to safety.

Their incredible rescue ­efforts have been revealed as Dr Wong was reunited with some of his lifesavers for the first time since the Western Hospital attack on February 18.

Mr Di Lollo, 52, recalls desperately pleading with the armed man and screaming for police as panic spread among horrified ­onlookers.

He was about to start an eight-hour chemotherapy ­session when the doctor slumped to the ground before his eyes in the foyer.

“I was yelling, ‘Hey, stop it, you’ve got to stop it’,’’ he said.

“Every time I went towards him to reason with (the alleged offender), he would threaten me with the knife.’’

The highly respected surgeon was set upon and stabbed 14 times as he walked in the doors of the Footscray hospital last summer. Senior nurse Jo McIntyre, 59, came perilously close to being attacked as she tried to intervene, with the man brandishing his knife close to her throat.

“I did whatever I could to distract the man ... I just wish we could have got (Dr Wong) away faster,” she said.

Mr Di Lollo threw his backpack at the attacker while equipment technician Vinay Dass, 43, scrambled to grab a weapon. He picked up an A-frame sign and held it above his head, drawing on his military training as he calmly drew the man away from Dr Wong and those trying to rescue him.

“I kept yelling and swearing at him, so he would concentrate on me, and said to him once, ‘You come and stab me’.

“The only thing I was thinking was to keep him away from everyone,’’ he said.

He cornered the attacker, allowing Mr Di Lollo, Ms McIntyre and nurse Rebecca Barbara to pull the bleeding doctor out of harm’s way.

They dragged him on the run to the emergency department with the help of a medical intern, leaving a trail of blood along the corridors.

Mr Di Lollo was nearing the end of six months of chemotherapy, and eventually ­collapsed on the floor from shock and exhaustion.

“It was only then that I realised that I had not breathed the whole time we were running, as I thought the attacker was chasing us,’’ he said.

The group of five, including intern Rebecca Biron, have been nominated for a Pride of Australia medal.

Dr Wong, who was head of neurosurgery at the Western Hospital at the time, said he would have bled to death without them.

“They were very, very brave people, it’s bravery akin to a war situation,’’ he said.

“I am not permanently disabled, I’m back to work. What they did was lifesaving.’’

Dr Wong said he was recovering well after sustaining stab wounds to the back, arms, hands, legs, chest, abdomen and head, and suffering a punctured lung.

A man, 48, has been charged with a range of offences, including attempted murder, following the incident.

To nominate a local legend by July 29, go to heraldsun.com.au/prideofaustralia