Security Guard Photographed Asleep Hours Before Alleged Sydney Hospital Attack
Footage emerges of a guard appearing to sleep on duty at Prince of Wales Hospital, where a patient allegedly doused three people in petrol and set one alight.
A security guard was photographed appearing to be asleep on duty at a Sydney hospital multiple times in the hours leading up to an alleged attack where a patient doused three people in petrol and set one on fire. The footage, verified by The Daily Telegraph, shows the guard in the spinal injury ward of Prince of Wales Hospital. In one instance, the guard's head was seen tucked beneath a table. In another, taken two days after the alleged attack on October 13, the guard was seen with his shoes off, wearing headphones, and with a tablet on his lap.
Raymond James Dungay, 48, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after allegedly pouring petrol over a 64-year-old woman and two men, aged 54 and 63, before igniting one of them with a cigarette lighter. The alleged attack occurred around 10:45 p.m. on October 13. The lighter reportedly only ignited when it reached Randovan Banic, 54, in the spinal injury ward, causing him to suffer serious burns to his face and upper body. Banic is currently in intensive care.
Dungay was reportedly on bail at the time of the incident, having been released in April pending sentencing for a previous aggravated break and enter charge. He has since been charged with common assault and two counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, in addition to the attempted murder charges. He has been transferred from Prince of Wales Hospital to another health facility.
Banic recounted the terrifying moments, describing the smell of petrol before he was allegedly set alight. "I could just smell petrol all over my hair, my eyebrows, smoke in my eyes, just everything," he told Nine News from his hospital bed, adding that he has been using water to soothe his eyes.
He expressed concerns about the hospital's security, stating, "I don't feel safe in this hospital. Honestly, if someone can do that, mate, they can do a lot more."
Opposition health spokesperson Sarah Mitchell described the incident as shocking and horrifying, emphasizing that safety must be a non-negotiable in public hospitals. Health Minister Ryan Park called the images of the sleeping guard "concerning" and stated that the guard was "no longer welcome" in the state's hospital system. A spokesperson for the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District confirmed that there is no ongoing risk to patients and staff and that support is being provided to those affected.
The security guard is not currently under investigation or facing any charges, and it is unknown if he was involved in responding to the alleged attack. The images were timestamped and confirmed to have been taken inside the hospital.
