Sydney hospital patient charged with attempted murder after allegedly setting fellow patient alight

NSW police allege Raymond James Dungay doused three patients in petrol before setting one alight at Prince of Wales hospital in Randwick

A patient at a Sydney hospital has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly pouring petrol on three fellow patients before setting one on fire.

Emergency services were called to the hospital at about 10.45pm on Tuesday, police said on Thursday. Detectives allege Dungay, a patient at the hospital, poured an accelerant on two men aged 54 and 63 and a 64-year-old woman.

“The 48-year-old then allegedly set fire to the 54-year-old man, before it was quickly extinguished by hospital staff,” New South Wales police said.

Dungay was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder, common assault and two counts of intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He was expected to appear at a bail hearing on Thursday.

The “health district is offering support and care to the people impacted by this distressing incident,” the spokesperson said, adding there was no ongoing risk to patients and staff.

“I want to acknowledge the swift actions of hospital staff for preventing the situation from escalating further,” he said. “Violence in our hospitals is unacceptable.”