A 42-year-old woman has been charged after allegedly sabotaging gas and water supplies at two Sydney hospitals, potentially putting patients at risk. New South Wales police allege that the woman cut the non-medical gas supply and water mains at Kareena Private Hospital in Caringbah at 12.20am on Tuesday, before switching off the gas main at nearby Sutherland Hospital at 1.30am.
The loss of gas at Sutherland Hospital forced staff to switch to portable oxygen and air as part of contingency plans. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park described the alleged acts as 'beyond serious' and 'catastrophic', noting that medical gases are relied upon to keep seriously ill patients alive. He confirmed that the person allegedly scaled a wall to access a restricted area at Sutherland Hospital.
The woman was arrested in Miranda at around 4am on Tuesday for breach of bail. She has been charged with two counts of public nuisance, two counts of entering prescribed premises without lawful excuse, sabotage, destroying or damaging property, and breach of bail. She also faces charges related to tampering with a fire alarm at a Darlinghurst hostel on Monday.
Gas systems were restored within approximately two hours by the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and Sutherland Hospital teams, with no impact on patient care. Ramsay Health Care, which operates Kareena Private Hospital, confirmed that all services were quickly restored and the hospital is operating normally. The woman was refused bail and is due to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday.
