Surgeons Who Were Lunching Near Krakow Shooting Saved Wounded Officer, Colleague Says
After Saturday's mass shooting in Krakow, Poland, one of two surgeons who gave aid at the scene says his colleague undoubtedly saved a gravely wounded police officer's life. Six people were killed and 15 injured, and prosecutors have opened a terror investigation.
A mass shooting in the Polish city of Krakow on Saturday left six people dead and 15 injured. One of two surgeons who helped at the scene says his colleague undoubtedly saved the life of a gravely wounded police officer. Prosecutors have opened a terror investigation, as the attacker's motives are linked to far-right ideologies.
Surgeons on the street
Professor Michal Pędziwiatr and Dr Mateusz Wierdak were having lunch with their families near the city's Main Market Square when they heard gunshots, local media reported. Pędziwiatr told the outlet Fakt that his son ran up to say people were falling to the ground. The doctors treated both the gunman and two police officers who were shot while subduing him. In Pędziwiatr's words, when it comes to saving lives it does not matter who is who.
Once the shooting ended, Pędziwiatr cared for the other victims and the attacker, while Wierdak worked on the officer who had been shot in the chest. According to his colleague, Wierdak packed bandages into the chest wound, and without that it is unclear how things would have turned out, since the ambulance took a long time to arrive. Pędziwiatr phoned John Paul II Hospital, which has a thoracic and cardiac surgery department, and insisted the officer be taken there.
The attack and investigation
The attack began shortly before 15:00 local time in Krakow's historic centre and, police say, lasted about three minutes. The dead include four Poles, a British national and an Austrian woman. The suspect, a 25-year-old Pole, remains in critical condition. Prosecutors had earlier said he was inspired by far-right ideologies. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said everything suggests he was fascinated by far-right ideologies and held ultra-nationalist views. He wore full military tactical gear, but the government says he was not a member of the Polish armed forces.
On Sunday, the two officers, senior constables Jakub Kulik and Artur Morański, emerged from comas. The prime minister called them true heroes. The mayor of Krakow has submitted an urgent request for both to be made honorary citizens of the city.
