A 19-year-old man attacked patients and medical staff with a knife at a hospital in southern Poland on Thursday, injuring four people, including a doctor, authorities said.
The attack occurred at the Provincial Specialist Hospital in Jastrzębie-Zdrój shortly after 6 p.m. Police said officers responded to reports of an aggressive man who had attacked patients and hospital staff with a sharp object and arrested the suspect at the scene.
Hospital spokeswoman Marcelina Twardowska said the victims were a doctor, a nurse and two female patients.
Artur Ploch, head of the hospital’s surgery department, said the doctor and the two patients suffered stab wounds to the chest, with one also sustaining injuries to the neck. He described their condition as serious but stable.
“Possible changes regarding the method of treatment will be made after tomorrow’s diagnostic examinations”, Ploch said.
Hospital director Robert Ostrowski said the injured doctor restrained the attacker and held him until emergency services arrived.
“He showed a heroic act”, Ostrowski said.
Police identified the suspect as a 19-year-old Polish man from Jastrzębie-Zdrój.
In a statement, the Health Ministry said saving the lives and health of those injured remained the priority.
“The Ministry of Health and the Silesian branch of the National Health Fund remain in constant contact with the provincial administration, the hospital management and the relevant services. We are monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis and are ready to provide all necessary support”, the ministry said.
(jh)
Source: PAP