A Wollongong paramedic has suffered a broken leg following an alleged assault by a patient at Wollongong Hospital on Thursday.
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Around midday, a 34-year-old man presented at the hospital for treatment for a stomach complaint.
Due to his demeanour towards triage staff, he was asked to leave the hospital by security according to police.
A short time later, the man went home to an address at Mangerton and requested an ambulance by calling '000'. He was treated by ambulance paramedics and taken to Wollongong Hospital, where medical treatment was commenced.
The man again allegedly became aggressive and abusive towards hospital staff, who were trying to treat him, and was escorted from the hospital by four security officers.
A short time later, the man allegedly stood in front of the hospital driveway on Darling Street, blocking access to the hospital for two other ambulance vehicles, which were trying to get into the hospital.
A male paramedic in the second ambulance spoke with the man and attempted to move him away from the driveway, to allow the ambulance into the hospital grounds, as they had a patient onboard in need of urgent medical attention.
Police allege the man refused to move or cooperate with the paramedic's demands, and then grabbed hold of him and wrestled him to the ground. The man then threw the paramedic over his leg and fell on top of him.
The 57-year-old paramedic, who has 33 years experience, suffered two fractures to his lower left leg and a dislocated kneecap.
Wollongong Police attended a short time later and found the man nearby at the intersection of Crown Street and Darling Street.
He was taken to Wollongong Police Station where he was charged with four offences, including reckless grievous bodily harm, obstruct or hinder ambulance officer by act of violence, obstruct or hinder ambulance officer providing service to other and offensive conduct.
The Mangerton man was given strict bail conditions and will appear before Wollongong Local Court on July 6.
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