A 32-year-old man has been arrested after a paramedic was stabbed in the neck and slashed across the face in a violent attack outside a café in Melbourne’s north.
Police allege the off-duty paramedic was waiting for a coffee on Broadway in Reservoir about 11 am when a man exited a small red car and attacked him from behind. The assault, described by authorities as sudden and unprovoked, left the victim with serious injuries.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, with the paramedic taken to the hospital suffering stab wounds to the neck and facial injuries. He remains in a stable condition and is receiving treatment.
Victoria Police confirmed a suspect has been taken into custody and is assisting with inquiries. Investigations are ongoing, with officers working to determine the motive behind the attack.
Ambulance Victoria CEO Jordan Emery said the incident had deeply shaken the organisation, condemning the violence in the strongest terms.
“I am sickened by the serious and deeply distressing occupational violence incident involving one of our paramedics in Melbourne today,” Emery said.
He confirmed the victim is a Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedic who was in uniform at the time of the attack.
“This morning, one of our MICA paramedics was stabbed while in uniform on duty. He is stable and in hospital, receiving full medical care as well as support from Ambulance Victoria and the Victorian Ambulance Union.”
Emery praised colleagues and bystanders who intervened during the incident, as well as Victoria Police for their swift response.
“I want to acknowledge his Ambulance Victoria colleagues who came to his aid, and our colleagues from Victoria Police and the member of the public who intervened.”
He said he had visited the paramedic in hospital and confirmed he was in “good spirits” despite the ordeal.
“Our priority is, and will continue to be, his care, safety and wellbeing,” Emery said.
The attack has reignited concerns about violence against frontline workers, with Emery issuing a blunt warning.
“I want to say this clearly and unequivocally that no paramedic or first responder should ever come to work and be assaulted,” he said.
“I am sickened to my stomach. We’ve had enough. This is appalling and unacceptable and needs to stop.”
The incident adds to a growing number of assaults on emergency workers across Victoria, with unions and health authorities repeatedly calling for stronger protections and harsher penalties for offenders.
Authorities have not yet released further details about the accused, and it remains unclear whether the paramedic was targeted or randomly attacked.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam or CCTV footage from the Broadway area in Reservoir around the time of the attack to come forward as investigations continue.
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