Spinal patient suffers horror burns in terrifying petrol attack inside major hospital
A spinal unit patient has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly doused fellow patients with petrol and set one of them alight in a disturbing attack at one of Sydney’s biggest and busiest hospitals.
The attack was allegedly carried out by a 48-year-old patient at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick, in Sydney’s east, at 10.45pm.
Randovan Banic was left with serious burns following the alleged petrol attack inside Prince of Wales Hospital. 9News
The man allegedly doused three people with petrol, which had been disguised in a drink bottle.
It’s alleged his lighter did not work until he got to the third patient – 54-year-old Randovan Banic.
“He was coming towards me, and then all of a sudden he f---ing doused me with petrol,” Banic told 9News.
“I smelt it but it was too late, he’d already lit me up.”
Banic was already receiving treatment in the spinal unit before the attack, but has now had to receive attention in intensive care for the burns he suffered during the incident.
“I could just smell petrol all over my hair,” he said.
“My hair’s singed, my eyebrows ... I got smoke in my eyes, just everything. They’ve just been pumping me with water.”
9News has been told the perpetrator was “known to be a problem” and that the attack was “traumatic for everyone”.
The 48-year-old man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, common assault, and two charges of causing grievous bodily harm.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park urged urgent police action.
“Shocking, appalling behaviour,” he said.
The Prince of Wales Hospital is one of Sydney’s biggest. Peter Rae
“I don’t give a damn whether someone’s under the influence of drugs, alcohol or whatever.
“It needs to be dealt with by police, and I hope the full extent of those charges are thrown at him.”
Opposition health spokesperson Sarah Mitchell said she was “deeply disturbed” by reports of the attack.
“I’m just absolutely shocked and horrified that something like this could occur in one of our public hospitals in Sydney,” she said.
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“This is beyond unacceptable in NSW,” she added in a separate statement.
“Safety must be a non-negotiable in our public hospitals.
“My thoughts are with the victims and their families, hospital staff and first responders.”
Park has ordered a review into the incident.
“From all accounts, the staff did a marvellous job, but I’ve made it very clear, if they need additional support, then I’ll certainly look at doing that,” he said.
The 48-year-old accused man remains in hospital. He is due to face court on Thursday for a bail hearing.
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