PHILADELPHIA — In a troubling incident early Saturday, a vehicle fled from a Philadelphia hospital shortly after dropping off a gunshot victim and struck three nurses who were attending to the patient. Authorities reported that the event unfolded around 4:30 a.m. at Penn Presbyterian Hospital, where the vehicle, a silver Jeep Cherokee, hit the three male nurses as it sped away from the ambulance bay.

One of the nurses, a 36-year-old, suffered severe injuries and is currently in critical condition due to facial trauma and internal bleeding. Meanwhile, a 37-year-old nurse is dealing with head injuries, and the third victim, a 51-year-old, sustained injuries to his head and back; both of them are listed as stable. The shooting victim, a 28-year-old man, was reportedly brought in with multiple gunshot wounds and may have also incurred a head injury in the hit-and-run incident, according to police accounts.

In reaction to this shocking event, Penn Medicine described the situation as “devastating.” Despite the trauma experienced by their colleagues, the medical staff remained committed to saving the gunshot victim and providing care to all other patients. Support is being extended to the victims and their families as officials work closely with law enforcement, who are investigating both the collision and the shooting that preceded it.

City Council member Jamie Gauthier expressed deep concern regarding the incident, highlighting the challenging circumstances healthcare workers face daily in their role as caregivers. He remarked on the gravity of the situation, stating, “It is unfathomable to me that someone would drive their car into our neighbors charged with healing.”

This unfortunate incident underscores the risks faced by medical personnel as they strive to provide critical care in unpredictable environments, reinforcing the need for increased protections for those who dedicate their lives to healing and saving others.