Ambos to take the stand on day three of Westfield Bondi Junction stabbings inquest

Critical care paramedic Chris Wilkinson has criticised the use of a ‘hot zone’ as frustrated ambos were told to leave the shopping centre where they had treated patients in the wake of the Bondi Junction stabbings.

The consequences of poor communication between paramedics and police in the aftermath of the Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing has been examined on Day 3 of the Bondi Junction stabbing inquest.

Critical care paramedic Chris Wilkinson — a 42-year veteran of the service — was on the scene within minutes of emergency services receiving the initial calls for help, and helped treat multiple patients, including a baby. He also gave triage treatment to Faraz Tahir, the 30-year-old security guard who was one of Joel Cauchi’s victims.

But he also spoke of the frustration of paramedics after they were ordered to stand down and leave the shopping centre after it was declared a “hot zone” amid confusion and missed messages about whether there was a second attacker.

NSW Ambulance assistant commissioner Brent Armitage later told the inquest he had declared the “hot zone” after being told the area was an “active crime scene”, and would not have done that if he had been aware of a police radio message confirming killer Joel Cauchi was the sole offender.

The court heard at 4.18pm, an ambulance inspector inside the building radioed through saying the last casualty was being brought out to the staging area – 10 minutes before the hot zone was declared, which brought a halt to any paramedics entering the site.

Our live coverage of day three of the inquest has now closed.

Read on to see how the day unfolded.

Originally published as Ambos to take the stand on day three of Westfield Bondi Junction stabbings inquest