Man Out on Bail Allegedly Set Fire to Hospital Patient
A patient accused of dousing three others with petrol and setting one ablaze was on bail at the time of the alleged attack.
A man accused of pouring petrol on three fellow patients and setting one on fire was on bail and staying at a Sydney hospital when the alleged attack occurred, a court heard.
Raymond James Dungay, 48, faces charges including two counts of attempted murder and two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He remains under police guard at Prince of Wales Hospital, where the incident took place on Tuesday night.
Dungay did not appear at a bail hearing on Thursday, where his bail was formally refused. He will remain in the hospital under a detention order, with his case adjourned until December 8.
The court was told that Dungay had previously been granted bail with the condition that he reside at the hospital while facing separate charges.
Police were called to the Randwick hospital around 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday. According to court documents, Dungay allegedly used a drink bottle to pour petrol on two male patients, aged 54 and 63, and a 64-year-old woman in the spinal injury unit.
The alleged lighter failed to ignite until it reached Randovan Banic, 54, who suffered serious burns to his face and upper body. Mr. Banic, who already had a spinal injury from a workplace incident, was transferred to intensive care and remains in stable condition. He told Nine News that he smelled petrol before being set alight.
Mr. Banic expressed that the attack was preventable and could have been avoided if security had intervened sooner.
The other two patients involved were treated for minor injuries and are in stable condition.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park called the incident "very, very shocking" and has requested an urgent review of the matter, stating that the situation "could have been completely catastrophic."
Park also indicated that Dungay should be discharged to police custody as soon as he is medically able.
Opposition health spokesperson Sarah Mitchell described the alleged incident as "beyond unacceptable," emphasizing that safety in public hospitals must be a non-negotiable priority.
This is the third violent incident reported at a Sydney hospital this year and the second at Prince of Wales Hospital. In April, a man allegedly attacked six people and injured a nurse. Earlier this year, a woman was accused of attacking a patient with a hammer at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
A spokesperson for the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District stated that there is no ongoing risk to patients and staff, and support is being provided to those affected.