Paramedic tells Bondi Junction stabbing inquest he felt 'inadequate' waiting outside sceneMBy Millie RobertsTopic:Crime18m ago18 minutes agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 1:58amParamedic Christopher Wilkinson gave evidence during day three of the inquest. (AAP: Bianca De Marchi)In short:A paramedic who responded to the Bondi Junction stabbing told an inquest he felt "inadequate" after a directive to stay outside the Westfield shopping centre.The inquest heard ambulance crews were told to remain in situ while the possibility of a second armed offender was investigated.Paramedic Christopher Wilkinson said he was frustrated at being forced to wait outside the Westfield while people needed care.abc.net.au/news/bondi-junction-stabbing-inquest-paramedic-evidence/105232528Link copiedShareShare articleA critical care paramedic who responded to the Bondi Junction stabbing says he felt "frustrated" and "inadequate" after a directive for ambulance officers to stay outside the Westfield shopping centre.WARNING: This story contains content that readers may find distressing.Christopher Wilkinson is an emergency officer with four decades' experience and who assessed security guard Faraz Tahir on the day 40-year-old Joel Cauchi went on the stabbing rampage through the centre, killing six people and injuring 10 others.Mr Tahir, who was on his first shift, could not be saved.If you or anyone you know needs help:Lifeline on 131 114Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800Beyond Blue on 1300 224 63613 YARN on 13 92 76Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978Headspace on 1800 650 890ReachOutSANE on 1800 187 263Call triple-0 if you need immediate careCounsel assisting the coroner Emma Sullivan told the court that at the same time Mr Wilkinson arrived on the scene, intelligence had broadcast for all crews to remain in situ while the possibility of a second armed offender was investigated.A hot zone, or an "active area of threat" limiting who could enter, was later established, she said.Mr Wilkinson said he heard about the hot zone from a police officer positioned outside the Westfield entrance who "stated no-one could enter those doors".He triaged three victims stabbed by Cauchi who were brought outside, including Mr Tahir, but said it was "far too long to [get] ambulances to some of the patients inside", the court heard.Joel Cauchi killed six people during an attack in the Bondi Junction Westfield. (Supplied)"For me standing around … knowing there could possibly be people dying on the inside of the premise and not going to them because there could be a second offender, or could be a hot zone, is not good enough," he said."Someone of my experience, of 42 years … I felt inadequate being forced to stay on the outside."I stood there with my boots on the ground quite frustrated that people could may well be dying upstairs, and nobody was doing anything medically for them."Call for changeMr Wilkinson said he thought "we need to change the way we do things"."There's an expectation an ambulance will arrive [when called]," he said."We bring calmness to a scene and reassurance to the scene."Paramedics were forced to stay outside of the Westfield over fears of a second attacker. (AAP: Steve Markham)He supported the introduction of a "rescue task force" where police provide protection to paramedics when entering an active armed offender situation."Something like this is very timely and for the future, very necessary."Mr Wilkinson is one of multiple NSW Ambulance figures expected to give evidence during the five-week inquest that began on Monday at the NSW State Coroner's Court.The hearing continues.Posted 18m ago18 minutes agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 1:58amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)If you need someone to talk to, call:Lifeline on 13 11 14Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36Headspace on 1800 650 890QLife on 1800 184 527Top StoriesAustralian dollar bounces higher after inflation figures announcedLIVEPhoto shows Finances genericHeadline inflation stable at 2.4pc while RBA's preferred measure drops within targetBREAKINGPhoto shows Cash money in a purse with a calculator, tea towel, list of bills on a notepad and a penAustralia faces 'lonelier' world with rules-based order crumblingTopic:National SecurityPhoto shows Two men wearing glasses and suits behind the backdrop of the world map.There's a reason Dutton can't resort to a scare campaign with older AustraliansAAnalysis by Annabel CrabbPhoto shows Peter DuttonHolmes à Court fuels movement that denies he will have seat at tableTopic:Political Parties and MovementsPhoto shows shac tealRelated storiesOfficer who shot Bondi Junction stabber thought she was 'probably going to die'Topic:CrimePhoto shows A young woman wearing a grey suit with a white undershirt stands outside court with sunglassesInternet history reveals Bondi Junction killer was 'planning a strike', inquest toldTopic:CrimePhoto shows Woman stands in courtroom, woman in road in top left-hand cornerLife for Bondi Junction survivors 'has never been normal since that day'Topic:StabbingsPhoto shows A graphic of three survivors - two men and one woman - with flowers and a westfield sign.Related topicsBondi JunctionCourtsCrimeLidcombeMental HealthPoliceTop StoriesAustralian dollar bounces higher after inflation figures announcedTopic:Stock MarketPhoto shows Finances genericBreaking: Headline inflation stable at 2.4pc while RBA's preferred measure drops within targetTopic:InflationAustralia faces 'lonelier' world with rules-based order crumblingTopic:National SecurityThere's a reason Dutton can't resort to a scare campaign with older AustraliansAAnalysis by Annabel CrabbHolmes à Court fuels movement that denies he will have seat at tableTopic:Political Parties and MovementsJust InParamedic 'frustrated' at being forced to stay outside of Bondi stabbing sceneTopic:Crime18m ago18 minutes agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 1:58amTrump dismisses 'fake' approval rating as Americans voice tariff fearsTopic:World Politics41m ago41 minutes agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 1:35amHeadline inflation stable at 2.4pc while RBA's preferred measure drops within targetBREAKING26m ago26 minutes agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 1:50amHow Les Kiss went from rugby league winger to the Wallabies' next coachAnalysis by Luke Pentony47m ago47 minutes agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 1:29amMore Just InBack to top
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