Man Arrested After Attacking Staff and Patients at Prince of Wales Hospital

Apr 26, 2026, 08:40

Introduction

A 51-year-old man was arrested on Saturday night after attacking staff, security guards, and a member of the public at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick.

Main Body

The incident began around 8:30 pm in the hospital's emergency department. Police reports state that the suspect caused a serious leg injury to one nurse and attacked two other nurses and a security guard. Additionally, it is claimed that the man used a trash bin to attack a 26-year-old woman who was trying to protect another patient. Police officers, who were already at the hospital for another reason, stepped in to help. After the suspect allegedly attacked an officer, the police used a Taser to stop him. He was then arrested and moved to a secure hospital unit, and he is expected to face formal charges soon. Regarding the injuries, the nurse with the leg injury had to be admitted to the hospital. However, the police officer, other staff members, and the civilian were treated on-site and did not need further medical care. The South Eastern Sydney Local Health District emphasized that support services are available for the victims and witnesses, and they asserted that there is no longer a threat to people in the building. This event has led to criticism from healthcare groups and government officials. Representatives from nursing associations, Michael Whaites and Shaye Candish, claimed that this incident proves that violence in emergency departments is increasing. They argued that this is linked to higher patient numbers and more serious cases, and they called for better security and staff training. This view is supported by data from the Nurses and Midwives' Association, which shows that 88% of staff had experienced or seen workplace violence in the past year. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park described the attack as unacceptable and emphasized that the safety of healthcare workers must be a priority.

Conclusion

The suspect is still being held in a secure facility while the injured nurse receives treatment. The hospital continues to operate as police and hospital administrators investigate the incident.

Vocabulary Learning

allegedly (adv.)
claimed but not yet proven / 據稱；涉嫌
Example:After the suspect allegedly attacked an officer, the police used a Taser to stop him.
asserted (v.)
stated firmly or confidently / 堅稱；斷言
Example:They asserted that there is no longer a threat to people in the building.
civilian (n.)
a person who is not a member of the police or armed forces / 平民；市民
Example:The police officer, other staff members, and the civilian were treated on-site.
criticism (n.)
expression of disapproval or negative opinion / 批評；責備
Example:This event has led to criticism from healthcare groups and government officials.
incident (n.)
an event, especially one that is unusual or unpleasant / 事件；事故
Example:Representatives claimed that this incident proves that violence in emergency departments is increasing.

Sentence Learning

A 51-year-old man was arrested on Saturday night after attacking staff, security guards, and a member of the public at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick.
Passive Voice: The passive voice "was arrested" is used to focus on the person affected by the action rather than the police, which is standard for formal reporting.被動語態: 被動語態 "was arrested"（被捕）用於將重點放在受行動影響的人身上，而非警方，這是正式報導的標準寫法。
Additionally, it is claimed that the man used a trash bin to attack a 26-year-old woman who was trying to protect another patient.
Relative Clause: The clause beginning with "who" adds essential information about the woman, helping to explain her actions during the incident.關係子句: 以 "who" 開頭的子句為該名女子提供了必要的補充資訊，有助於解釋她在事件中的行為。
Police officers, who were already at the hospital for another reason, stepped in to help.
Non-defining Relative Clause: This clause provides extra, non-essential background information about the police officers and is separated by commas.非限定性關係子句: 此子句提供了關於警員的額外且非必要的背景資訊，並以逗號隔開。
However, the police officer, other staff members, and the civilian were treated on-site and did not need further medical care.
Linking Word for Contrast: "However" is used to contrast the minor injuries of these people with the serious leg injury of the nurse mentioned earlier.表示對比的連接詞: "However"（然而）用於將這些人的輕微傷勢與前文提到護士嚴重的腿部傷勢作對比。
He was then arrested and moved to a secure hospital unit, and he is expected to face formal charges soon.
Passive Reporting Structure: "Is expected to" is a formal B2-level structure used to make predictions or report likely future events based on current facts.被動報導結構: "Is expected to"（預計將會）是一個正式的 B2 程度結構，用於根據現有事實作出預測或報導很可能發生的未來事件。