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Man charged with murder over fatal stabbing of paramedic in south-western Sydney Man charged with murder over fatal stabbing of paramedic in south-western Sydney
(about 4 hours later)
The 29-year-old father of one was stabbed outside Campbelltown McDonald’s while he and a workmate took a break on FridayThe 29-year-old father of one was stabbed outside Campbelltown McDonald’s while he and a workmate took a break on Friday
A 21-year-old man has been charged with murder after the fatal stabbing of a young ambulance paramedic in Sydney’s south-west. A 21-year-old man has been charged with murder after the fatal stabbing of a young ambulance paramedic in Sydney’s south-west, remembered by colleagues as a “true hero” with “big smiles [and] cheeky giggles”.
The 29-year-old father of one was stabbed outside Campbelltown McDonald’s while he and a workmate took a break towards the end of their night shift about 5.30am on Friday. Steven Tougher, a 29-year-old father of one, was stabbed outside Campbelltown McDonald’s while he and a workmate took a break towards the end of their night shift about 5.30am on Friday.
The colleague activated a duress alarm, sparking a police response in which a younger man wielding a knife was tasered and arrested.The colleague activated a duress alarm, sparking a police response in which a younger man wielding a knife was tasered and arrested.
Homicide detectives later charged the 21-year-old man with murder. Homicide detectives later charged a 21-year-old man with murder.
He has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta local court on Saturday. He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta local court on Saturday.
The victim, who had been working for the ambulance service for about a year, was assisted by witnesses at the scene but died shortly after arriving at Liverpool hospital. Tougher, who had been working for the ambulance service for about a year, was assisted by witnesses at the scene but died shortly after arriving at Liverpool hospital.
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“The surgeons … worked valiantly, albeit futile in this instance, to support our colleague,” NSW Ambulance commissioner Dominic Morgan said. “The surgeons … worked valiantly, albeit futile in this instance, to support our colleague,” the NSW Ambulance commissioner, Dominic Morgan, said.
The slain man’s father said his son always wanted to be a paramedic and had just been posted to south-west Sydney, Dr Morgan said. The slain man’s father said his son always wanted to be a paramedic and had just been posted to south-west Sydney, Morgan said.
“I’ve met with the family and as you can imagine personally, it’s very difficult to process.”
A GoFundMe page set up on Friday afternoon sought support for the paramedic’s partner who is expecting a second child.
It is understood the recently married couple intended raising their family in south-western Sydney after he recently landed a posting in the area.
The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association said on Saturday it was “devastated” by the death of Tougher, a paramedic and registered nurse.
“Our hearts go out to Steven’s family, friends and colleagues who face this awful tragedy,” the union’s general secretary, Shaye Candish, said.
“It’s heartbreaking when a healthcare worker doesn’t get to go home. Nurses and paramedics live our lives to help others, this is just senseless.”
Emma Gedge, a union councillor and midwife, spoke on behalf of Illawarra staff who worked alongside Tougher, their friend and colleague.
“A dedicated nurse and staunch union activist, Steven never hesitated to help people, no matter the circumstances,” she said.
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“I’ve met with the family and as you can imagine personally, it’s very difficult to process.” “Steven never stopped advocating for his colleagues and patients. We will never forget his big smiles, cheeky giggles and charismatic personality.
A GoFundMe page set up on Friday afternoon sought support for the paramedic’s partner who is expecting a second child. “Steven was a true hero with the kindest soul, who worked towards his dream of becoming a paramedic for many years. He was a loving son, partner, father and friend. We are devastated by this senseless loss and send our deepest sympathies to Steven’s family.”
It is understood the couple intended raising their family in south-western Sydney after he recently landed a posting in the area. The Charles Sturt University vice-chancellor, Prof Renée Leon, said she was “deeply saddened” to hear of the death of Tougher, who graduated from the university with a degree in paramedicine in 2021.
“Everyone in the Charles Sturt community wishes to express our heartfelt condolences to Steven’s family, friends and those who knew and worked with him at NSW Ambulance,” she said.
“Steven was an active, well-liked and highly respected member of the online student community.
“It is so very terrible for Steven’s life to be tragically ended. Any act of violence towards our dedicated healthcare professionals is unacceptable.”
Tanika Psaila, who studied with Tougher at CSU, remembered him as an “amazing human” who devoted his life to helping others.
“Every assignment, every exam … Steve was there for me, cramming in study, proofreading each other’s work and celebrating our results together,” she wrote on social media. “He was truly a selfless individual.”
Paul Harrison, a childhood friend of Tougher, remembered growing up on the same street and creating extreme sport games on his back yard trampoline.
“Disbelief and devastated are the feelings I still have the morning after hearing about the loss of Steven Tougher,” he wrote on social media.
“Seeing Steve’s infectious smile before heading in for surgery a few years back gave me certainty that things were going to be okay.”