Sydney hospital fire attack ‘1 million per cent’ preventable, victim says
The man who was set alight inside a Sydney hospital after being doused in fuel, allegedly by a fellow patient who was out on bail, has called the horrific attack “1 million per cent” preventable.
Police allege Raymond James Dungay, 48, who was charged with attempted murder on Thursday, returned to Randwick’s Prince of Wales Hospital spinal unit from a day release on Tuesday carrying fuel concealed inside a drink bottle.
Raymond James Dungay, 48, who was charged with attempted murder. Supplied
Dungay allegedly splashed the flammable liquid over three patients, however 9News was told the lighter did not work until the attack reached Radovan Banic.
The 54-year-old is now suffering from severe burns on top of the workplace spinal injury he was already in hospital for.
He told 9News the attack could have been much worse.
“I’m glad it happened to me, and it didn’t happen to the other two because they wouldn’t be here today,” he said.
On Thursday, Dungay faced court and was refused bail after being charged with two counts of attempted murder, assault, and two counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm.
He had previously been released on bail to stay at the hospital while facing separate charges.
While the NSW Health Minister, Ryan Park said it would be “very difficult” to stop Wednesday’s attack from happening, Banic believes otherwise.
“1 million per cent, it could have been prevented,” he said.
9News has confirmed police were also called to the spinal unit about a week earlier, after Dungay allegedly had a run-in with a security guard.
Banic said the attack was preventable. 9News
“He shouldn’t have even been there,” Banic said.
“The nurses there were too scared to even talk to him.”
“This could have been completely catastrophic, and serious as it was, it could have been a lot, lot worse,” Park said.
Following the horrific incident, the Nurses and Midwives Association is calling for immediate change.
“Investigate what went before this incident, what occurred during the incident, and what needs to happen now as a result of that incident to make sure that the chances of this happening again are diminished,” general secretary Michael Whaites said.
Opposition health spokesperson Sarah Mitchell said she was “deeply disturbed” by reports of the attack.
“We need to start to see some tangible changes,” she said.
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