Sydney Hospital Patient Charged with Attempted Murder After Petrol Attack

Raymond James Dungay Charged with Attempted Murder After Prince of Wales Hospital Petrol Attack

A 48-year-old patient named Raymond James Dungay was charged with attempted murder after allegedly dousing three fellow patients in petrol and setting one on fire at Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick on Tuesday evening. Emergency services arrived at the hospital at approximately 10:45 pm following the incident in the facility’s spinal ward, according to New South Wales police.

Police detectives allege that Dungay hid the accelerant inside a drink bottle before targeting a 63-year-old man, a 64-year-old woman, and 54-year-old spinal patient Randovan Banic. While the flames failed to ignite on the first two victims, Banic sustained burns after being set alight. Hospital staff intervened swiftly to extinguish the fire before injuries became more severe, according to police statements.

How the Attack Unfolded in the Spinal Ward

Randovan Banic recounted the sudden assault from his hospital bed to Nine News, describing how the suspect approached him unexpectedly. Coming towards me and all of a sudden, he f—ing douses me in petrol, I smelt it, but it was too late, he lit me up, Banic said. He reported smelling petrol everywhere with his hair and eyebrows singed, and smoke in his eyes, before nurses rushed in with water following screams from the ward.

Banic was treated for minor burns and observed as a precaution, remaining in a stable condition alongside the 63-year-old man and 64-year-old woman, who were treated for minor injuries associated with the event. Dungay was arrested and kept under close police guard in the hospital on Tuesday night. He faces charges of two counts of attempted murder, common assault, and two counts of intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Bail Hearing and Political Response to Hospital Security

Dungay did not appear at a bail hearing on Thursday, where Judge Diane Chappell noted that he was already on bail for a separate offense. No application for release was made, bail was refused, and Dungay remains in custody ahead of scheduled mental health assessments. Meanwhile, New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park condemned the attack as very concerning and serious while apologizing to patients and staff, confirming he requested an urgent departmental review alongside the police investigation.

Park rejected calls to install metal detectors or conduct bag checks across hospital wards, noting that public hospitals must remain open and that the accelerant was carried in a standard water bottle. Opposition health spokesperson Sarah Mitchell called the incident beyond unacceptable, emphasizing that safety must be a non-negotiable priority in public health facilities. A spokesperson for the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District confirmed that staff responded immediately, notified police, and offered support to everyone affected while assuring there is no ongoing risk to patients and staff.

Downing Centre Local Court Return on December 8

The legal proceedings have been adjourned, with Dungay scheduled to return to the Downing Centre local court on 8 December. He remains in custody under police guard until that hearing.

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