Police have arrested a man who allegedly stabbed an on-duty paramedic in Melbourne’s north before fleeing the scene.<\/p>\n
Investigators allege the paramedic was outside a cafe on Broadway in Reservoir at about 11am when a man got out of a small, red car and stabbed him.<\/p>\n
Ambulance Victoria says the paramedic was ordering a coffee when he was attacked from behind.<\/p>\n
The 32-year-old man then allegedly fled the scene in the car, before being arrested shortly before 1pm at a property in Winter Crescent in Reservoir.<\/p>\n
The man is currently in custody and will be interviewed by detectives.<\/p>\n
The paramedic was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.<\/p>\n
Ambulance chief condemns alleged attack<\/p>\n
Ambulance Victoria chief executive Jordan Emery said the paramedic received stab wounds to his head and neck, but was in a stable condition.<\/p>\n
“I’ve spoken to his partner; it’s obviously very distressing, they have a young child,” he said.<\/p>\n
“AV, the [Victorian Ambulance Union], we will all wrap our arms around his family and make sure that they are cared for.”<\/p>\n
Mr Emery said he was disgusted by what he called a “continued pattern of violence” directed towards first-responders.<\/p>\n
“It is absolutely disgraceful, it continues across all Australian jurisdictions, and it must stop now,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We need to spend time in our communities reflecting on how we have come to a place where more than 1,000 paramedics are assaulted every single year in Victoria.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jordan Emery says the paramedic is in a stable condition following the alleged attack. (ABC News)<\/p>\n
Mr Emery said many paramedics would wake up tomorrow scared of turning up to work as a result of the attack on their colleague.<\/p>\n
Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill said the paramedic was assisted by a member of the public when the alleged attack occurred.<\/p>\n
“A brave bystander did come to the assistance of our member when this assault occurred and helped to fight him off,” Mr Hill said.<\/p>\n
“On behalf of our members, we extend our sincere gratitude and thanks to that bystander.”<\/p>\n
Mr Hill said legislation needed to be amended to further dis-incentivise violent behaviour against first-responders.<\/p>\n