The 29-year-old paramedic was nearing the tip of his shift when he was set upon by a stranger, in what’s been described as one of many darkest days for the ambulance service.
Steven Tougher was with a colleague stopping for a break on the Campbelltown McDonald’s, in Sydney’s south-west, when the daddy was stabbed.
Police arrived inside minutes and Tougher was taken to Liverpool Hospital the place he later died.
Tougher married the love of his life simply final month and was excited to boost his younger household in south-west Sydney after lastly touchdown his dream job within the space.
He had been within the service for about 12 months.
“This is a young man who his father tells me from the age of five years old knew that he wanted to be a NSW paramedic,” NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dominic Morgan stated.
“He wanted nothing more than to serve his community.”
Morgan stated it was a particularly troublesome time for the paramedic’s younger household and the broader NSW Ambulance service as a complete.
“This is a time of recognising and grieving with the paramedic’s colleagues and family at a very difficult time.”
NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce spoke via tears of the “incomprehensible” incident.
“The health system is one big family and to lose someone in this way is incomprehensible to us,” she stated.
Floral tributes have grown on the scene as fellow paramedics mourn the lack of certainly one of their very own.
“Everyone in the area is feeling it,” paramedic Wayne Havenaar stated.
“Many of our people are young people with kids of their own and this is really hurting them.”
One message on the website learn: “He has paid the ultimate price for being a caring, brave soul devoting his life to saving and serving those in need.”
The grief is not solely being felt within the Sydney group however throughout the nation.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Tougher’s demise as “shocking” and “tragic”.
“NSW has lost a young paramedic, a young man whose life was in front of him,” NSW Premier Chris Minns stated.
A 21-year-old man was arrested on the scene and brought to Campbelltown Police Station, the place murder detectives charged him with homicide.
He has been refused bail to look at Parramatta Local Court later right this moment.
Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated the suspect was recognized to police however just for “minor offences”.
He stated they had been investigating the suspect’s background.
“The thoughts and sympathies of NSW Police are with the family of that officer and the entire ambulance family,” Lanyon stated.
NSW Police additionally commend the actions of the emergency providers and members of the general public who rendered first help and help on the scene.
Police are asking anybody with data to return ahead.
Source: www.9news.com.au
