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Philadelphia medic stabbed by patient in ambulance: police

By and
Updated  October 17, 2024 11:19am EDT
Crime & Public Safety
FOX 29 Philadelphia

Philly medic stabbed by patient in ambulance

A Philadelphia medic was stabbed in the chest during as commotion unfolded with a patient in the back of an ambulance Thursday morning. Investigators say they did recover the weapon, which appeared to be a foldable knife.

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities say a Philadelphia medic was stabbed in the chest during a commotion with a patient in the back of an ambulance Thursday morning.

Chief Derek Bowmer told reporters that medics were called to the 1800 block of Ridge Avenue around 6 a.m. for reports of a "sick/unknown."

While en route to Temple University Hospital, Bowmer said the ambulance driver noticed a commotion in the back near 22nd and Diamond streets.

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When the driver pulled over and opened the back doors, investigators say the patient-turned-suspect ran and the medic was found stabbed in the chest and leg.

The medic was taken to Temple University Hospital and placed in serious condition, Bowmer said.

Investigators tell FOX 29 they did recover the weapon, which appeared to be a foldable knife. 

They say the 39-year-old suspect was hostile at the hospital, but they do not have a motive.

Michael Bresnan, President of IAFF Local 22, the Philadelphia Firefighter and Paramedics Union, visited the injured paramedic at the hospital and he was talking and in good spirits.

"I said listen, man, you got 8 lives, as a joke to get him to smile, and he goes, you know, you’re right, because when the incident happened, he goes, I saw my life flash in front of my eyes," said Bresnan. "It was just out of nowhere and unexpected and unfortunately it happened, but fortunately he’s with us."

The incident happened not even a week after police say Jaadir Goodwyn, 20, drove into three Penn Presbyterian nurses and a shooting victim, leaving them all with multiple injuries.

"These two incidents are really horrific, it’s something we’re hoping we don’t see a trend on, but these two were certainly too close together for me," said Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore. "The nurses, the doctors, the medic units are here to try to save people, they’re first responders, we’re going to do everything we can to protect them because this doesn’t happen, it shouldn’t."