KINGSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Eyewitness News was the only television news station on the scene on Saturday night as chaos unfolded at First Hospital in Kingston.
Eyewitness News now takes a closer look at events that put staff and patients at risk.
“We are receiving a report 562 Wyoming Avenue the First Hospital, the juvenile wing for a riot in progress. 14 kids attacking staff,” the 911 dispatcher says.
That chilling 911 dispatch from Luzerne County dispatched police to First Hospital in Kingston on Saturday night just before 8:30. Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce says the uprising followed what started earlier in the evening as a minor altercation.
“It pretty much turned into a full-fledged riot,” said Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce.
“The caller can hear you on the line. Looks like it’s coming from the staff. They are barricaded in a room,” said the dispatcher, retrieved courtesy of TO TRANSMIT.
There were also concerns that patients involved in the riot were grabbing whatever they could to use as a weapon against staff trying to protect themselves from being assaulted.
An authority figure asks, “County, are you still in contact with them inside? Are they safe inside a room?
“Negative, we were just informed via call that they were breaking down the door and you had to leave and the line went offline,” the dispatcher says.
Police on the scene assessed the situation to determine exactly what they were up against.
“How about seeing if you can send over a couple of officers from the city of Wilkes-Barre? We’re still a little overmatched here,” said an authority figure.
They located the problem on the third floor and then, with enough responding officers, they moved out.
“Okay, we’ve regained control of the floor. People who need to be in custody are in custody, I need at least two ambulances here to check on staff members. One reportedly went downstairs, they’re trying to locate him now, possible head injury. And then one of the non-fighting minors also needs an ambulance,” the officer in charge said.
In all, five people were taken to hospital with injuries described at the scene as non-life threatening.
“Some of that was head trauma. Two of them were staff members. Three of them were, in fact, patients,” said DA Sanguedolce.
“Hey, I’m going to be famous. [expletive] me [expletive]world,” said a young male.
Two patients were led away in handcuffs while others were interviewed about their possible role in the riots.
“There is a considerable amount of damage but, in a very short time, the Kingston Police managed to get the situation under control,” said DA Sanguedolce.
The district attorney told Eyewitness News there is no additional information at this time and the investigation will resume on Monday.
Annmarie Poslock, vice president of marketing and communications for Commonwealth Health, released a statement saying, “We appreciate the timely response and support of first responders during an incident last night. All individuals brought to the hospital have been medically cleared.”
