Paramedic Steven Tougher stabbed to death outside Campbelltown McDonald’s identified

The paramedic who was stabbed to death at McDonald’s was a recently married father and it’s been revealed he had a child on the way.

A 21-year-old man has been charged with murder following the death of a paramedic who was repeatedly stabbed in an ambulance at a Sydney McDonald’s carpark.

Steven Tougher — a 29-year-old paramedic — was approaching the end of his shift and sitting in the back of the ambulance doing paperwork when his attacker pulled open the door and stabbed him multiple times on Friday morning.

Other paramedics raced to the scene following reports their colleague had been stabbed multiple times.

Mr Tougher and one other colleague had been “working hard all night” and were reportedly taking a meal break at the McDonald’s in Campbelltown, in Sydney’s south west, when the incident occurred.

He was treated at the scene before being rushed to Liverpool Hospital where he tragically died.

Mr Tougher had married his wife Madison just a month ago, and their second child is due in “a few short weeks”. The couple also share a three-year-old son, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Steven Tougher was stabbed to death at a Sydney McDonald's. Picture: 9 News

A man was arrested at the scene before being taken to Campbelltown police station for questioning.

The suspect, from nearby Raby, was charged late on Friday evening with murder and has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday.

NSW Police said it commended the actions of the emergency services and members of the public who gave first aid and assistance to Mr Tougher at the scene.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon said officers responding to the incident were confronted by the suspect who was wielding a knife and Tasered him.

Several bystanders who had tried to help Mr Tougher were also confronted, Mr Lanyon said.

He said a motive for the attack was not yet known.

“The young man was simply doing his job,” Mr Lanyon added.

A suspect has been charged with the murder of Steven Tougher.

According to Mr Lanyon, police have substantial evidence to assist them in their investigation, including CCTV footage, but are still in search of more.

Mr Lanyon appealed to the community for any information or footage they may have of the suspect allegedly driving around the Ingleburn and Campbelltown areas in the early hours of the morning in a blue Honda Jazz sedan.

NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dominic Morgan said he had spoken to Mr Tougher's family, who were devastated by their loss.

“I had the privilege of meeting with his mother and father, his wife and sister, who, as you can imagine, are just beside themselves with this tragic loss,” Mr Morgan said.

“I have such respect for the way that they are working through their grief, and am wishing such great things for the man’s paramedic colleagues who valiantly worked to resuscitate and save their paramedic colleague’s life — unfortunately, it was not to be.”

According to the commissioner, Mr Tougher’s father said it had been his son’s dream to become a paramedic from the age of five.

He had been working as a paramedic for about 12 months and had only recently been posted back in southwest Sydney where he had plans to start a family with his wife.

“He wanted nothing more than to serve his community, I’m told he was just so pleased that he was going to be able to stay here with his family, bring up his children, and look forward to being in the area he lived in and loved,” Mr Morgan said.

Mr Tougher had recently married a month ago.

His death has rocked the paramedic community.

Extensive support is being provided to paramedics, police officers and bystanders who attended the horrific scene, including to the man’s partner who was in the ambulance and called for help.

“This is very raw, very early and very close to home,” Commissioner Morgan said.

“Being the person that witnessed that, (they) will never ever get over as long as (they) live.

“There are no words that can make a person feel better but being together, leaning in to each other, just being together and speaking when you can is the best path forward.”

Tributes have poured in for Mr Tougher on social media.

“Always and forever Steven Tougher. We scrubbed poorly but we scrubbed up all right,” one person wrote on Facebook.

“Rest easy my friend, I will cherish our years and time together and you will be in my heart forever.”

Tougher and one other colleague had been “working hard all night” before the incident.

Many members of the emergency response and healthcare workforce have also shared messages of support and grief.

Retired paramedic Scott Fogarty, who did not know Mr Tougher, penned a heartbreaking letter to his fallen “brother” in an emotional tribute highlighting the dangers of the job.

The letter was pinned at the scene of the stabbing.

“We dedicate our lives to serving the community, helping those in need,” he wrote.

“We know the dangers and unfortunately are exposed to those dangers far too often, but we all hope that at the end of our shift we can go home to our loved ones in one piece.

“Some of us break down after years of burnout and torment from the trauma we experience, some push on carrying the scars.

“Unfortunately for this young man his duty and career has ended far too soon from the very thing that scares us all while on duty.

A letter posted at the scene of stabbing.

“He has paid the ultimate price for being a caring brave soul devoting his life to saving and serving those in need!

“I pray for his young family, extended family, our colleagues and his friends!

“I am absolutely devastated, angry and heartbroken for my fellow Paramedic Brother.

“Prayers to you Brother, your shift has ended, Rest in Peace!”

The man was treated at the scene and taken to Liverpool Hospital, where he later died. Picture: Tim Hunter.

NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce told reporters she wanted “to extend the deepest condolences to the wife and family of the paramedic”.

“The health system is one big family and to lose someone in this way is incomprehensible to us,” she said through tears.

“Our health system has been through a lot of these past three years, and as the head of the health system, I am proud of every single staff member who, every single day, presents to serve their community and to put themselves on the line for their community.”

A Go Fund Me page has been set up to raise money to support Mr Tougher’s family. More than $110,000 of a $300,000 goal had been donated as of Saturday morning.