Emergency medical technician repeatedly stabbed by patient in ambulance just outside NYC hospital: Officials

Officials said an emergency medical technician was repeatedly stabbed by a patient in an ambulance just outside a New York City hospital Wednesday night.

What are the details?

Following a cardiac arrest call, officials said 48-year-old Rudy Garcia was picked up at 94th Street and Amsterdam Avenue around 8:50 p.m., WABC-TV reported.

The incident took place outside Mt. Sinai West hospital near 59th Street and Columbus Avenue, WNYW-TV reported.

Garcia allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed the EMT multiple times in the abdomen and leg, officials told WABC.

Cellphone video shows emergency workers gathered by the EMT's side, WABC said, adding that what appears to be the knife used in the stabbing could be seen being picked up.

Officials added to WABC that the victim initially was treated at Mount Sinai West before she was taken to Mount Sinai Morningside.

The 25-year-old EMT is expected to survive, officials told WABC.

Garcia was arrested and charged with three counts of assault and criminal possession of a weapon, WABC said, adding that he's been arrested eight times on similar charges. Authorities also told the station that Garcia head-butted an officer in 2017.

WABC noted that city paramedic Cpt. Allison Russo died last September after being stabbed outside her station in Queens.

Oren Barzilay — president of a union that represents over 4,000 city EMTs — told WABC that attacks against them jumped from 200 in 2020 to 400 in 2021. The station added that the city's fire department said there have been 121 attacks on EMTs so far this year.

"Our members are used as practice punching bags, and we need more police presence with us on a lot of these calls," Barzilay added to WABC.

The EMT's union released a statement, WABC added:

The horrific stabbing of an EMT by her patient last night underscores the dangers faced by emergency medical workers every day. 1199SEIU is closely monitoring the situation and our members are praying for their colleague's swift and full recovery. Violence against healthcare workers is all too common, and New York must do all it can to ensure that these frontline heroes are able to do their jobs free from the threat of physical harm. More resources must be directed towards the staffing and safety of EMTs and paramedics citywide, so that workers aren't placed in situations where they are unable to protect themselves. Ensuring appropriate staffing levels, shifts, rest time, enhanced training on de-escalation and situational awareness, and the support of other first responders is imperative. All workers have the right to a safe workplace, and in the field of healthcare — where often every second counts to save a life — this is especially critical.

Man arrested after EMT repeatedly stabbed on ambulanceyoutu.be

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