‘Long road ahead’ for victims
Survivors of a knife attack in a Dunedin supermarket have a long road ahead in their recovery, police said, as the man allegedly responsible was remanded in custody after being charged with four counts of attempted murder.
Two police officers, one of whom was off duty, were among staff and bystanders at Countdown on Cumberland St who helped subdue a man who stabbed staff and shoppers on Monday.
‘‘The actions of those two officers helped to de-escalate the situation and minimise any further harm,’’ Southern District Commander Superintendent Paul Basham said yesterday.
‘‘Other staff were on scene very quickly and feedback indicates they provided a high standard of first aid that almost certainly saved lives.
‘‘This was an extremely fastmoving and confronting scene for our staff. They did an exceptional job when it mattered the most and I’m very proud of their efforts.’’
Basham did not want to distinguish their actions from those of others on the scene.
‘‘They were part of a group of human beings who intervened to support others that were being attacked.’’
All four victims remain in hospital – one in a moderate and the others in a serious but stable condition. Basham said they were ‘‘improving’’, which was a positive sign. ‘‘However, they have a long road ahead.’’
Police spent much of yesterday gathering evidence from the scene, including photography, blood sampling and collecting discarded items for further examination.
‘‘We’ve also been working to identify and speak to as many witnesses as possible and, of course, the victims who remain front of mind.’’
Basham said any motive would be part of the ongoing investigation, but it was considered to be a ‘‘random attack’’.
He said he could not confirm whether the alleged offender was known to staff at the supermarket.
Police had received reports of disorderly behaviour at the store and pharmacy before, but said this was in line with other public spaces.
Dr Rich Stephenson, Southern DHB clinical director for the emergency department, praised the reaction of hospital staff immediately after the attack.
Staff from the emergency department, surgery, intensive care and anaesthetics all worked together to attend to the injured victims, he said.
Stephenson said while medical staff were trained to respond to such incidents, it was still a challenging and stressful time for everyone involved. Extra staff were called in later in the evening to assist with patient care.
Stephenson did not want to comment on the specific injuries of the victims, but said they were ‘‘significant’’ and would have longterm consequences.
A 42-year-old man appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday charged with the attempted murder of two Countdown Dunedin Central workers and two bystanders who came to their aid.
The man, who is of no fixed abode according to court documents, wore a police supplied smock and kept his head downcast during the hearing.
He was remanded without plea on the charges, which carry a maximum penalty of 14 years, with his next appearance on June 1. The man was granted interim name suppression until then.
A Corrections officer and his wife were among those seriously injured. Corrections southern regional commissioner Ben Clark confirmed an employee was injured in the attack.
It is believed the Corrections officer was stabbed in the neck, his wife in the back, and that another woman suffered cut arms and hands.
Some of the victims are alleged to have been stabbed repeatedly, and The Press understands one had to be revived inside the store.
The Corrections officer works at the Otago Corrections Facility and his wife is a nurse.
A manager at the supermarket was also injured. His mother, who did not want her name used, said she had been asked not to talk to media.
She had spoken to her son, whom she understood was injured trying to stop the attack. He was taken to hospital in a critical condition, but had since been stabilised.