Sydney hospital sabotage: Woman arrested after gas, water supply cut at Kareena Private, Sutherland Hospital
The NSW Minister for Health says the consequences could have been “catastrophic” after a woman allegedly cut the supply of medical gas and water to two major hospitals in Sydney.
Police have arrested a 42-year-old woman after reports that the critical supply of gas and water had been disrupted to the Kareena Private Hospital and the Sutherland Hospital, both on the same street in the Sutherland Shire.
Officers received a report of the alleged vandalism to critical systems at the hospitals in Caringbah at around 4.20am on Tuesday after staff at the facilities were forced to switch to portable backup systems.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“Medical gases were sabotaged and that could have been catastrophic,” NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said Tuesday on Sydney radio station 2GB.
“It is very, very concerning that lifesaving medical gases have been sabotaged at the public and private hospitals.
“You have people on medical gases who are receiving treatment who are very, very unwell.
“If someone is going to tamper with that, then the outcome could have been very, very serious.”
Witnesses told police a woman had entered the grounds of one of the hospitals on Kareena Road at about 12.20am, and allegedly cut both the water and gas mains, before turning on the fire hoses.
Then at around 1.30am, police are reporting the same woman allegedly entered the grounds of another hospital on Kareena Road, and allegedly switched off the gas main.
Just before 4am, NSW police arrested the woman on Parkside Ave, Miranda, for breach of bail.
She has been taken to Sutherland Police Station and is currently being held, where she is assisting police with their inquiries.
“I want to assure the community there was no impact to patient care and that the system has returned to operating as per normal,” Mr Park told a media briefing on Tuesday.
“The cause of the loss of gases is alleged to be deliberate sabotage.
“Access to gas systems in NSW public hospitals is restricted and we will review the incident to see what improvements can be implemented.
