Patient at mental hospital in Australia stabs two nurses

Patient at mental hospital in Australia stabs two nurses

2011-01-05 17:44:38 GMT+7 (ICT)

ORANGE, AUSTRALIA (BNO NEWS) -- A 33-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday afternoon after stabbing two nurses at a mental hospital in Australia, police said.

The NSW Police Force said police were called to Bloomfield Hospital in Orange, a city in New South Wales, at about 3.55 p.m. local time. "Upon arrival, police and NSW Ambulance Paramedics found a 62-year-old male nurse had sustained stab wounds to his chest and arms," a police spokesperson said.

The nurse was taken to Orange Base Hospital and remains in a critical but stable condition. He is expected to be airlifted to a hospital in Sydney later on Wednesday.

The second victim was identified as a 20-year-old female nurse who was treated at the scene for lacerations to her hands. She was also taken to Orange Base Hospital where she remains in a stable condition.

Police said a 33-year-old patient was arrested at the scene and is currently assisting police with their inquiries. "A crime scene has been established at the hospital and will be examined by specialist forensic officers and detectives," the spokesperson added.

According to Australia's ABC News, the nurses were doing a check-up on the long-term patient - who was described as low-risk - when they were attacked. "I understand from manaement out of Bloomfield tonight that this patient was not known to be violent and it was out of the blue," Nurses Association spokeswoman Lisa Griffith told ABC News. "It's tragic for the patient and it's tragic for the staff."

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