Perth Doctor Honoured with Bravery Award for Disarming Axe Attacker

A Perth general practitioner has received a commendation for brave conduct from Australia's Governor-General after disarming a man who attacked a fellow doctor with an axe at their medical practice in 2023. Dr. Fergus McCabe was awarded one of 22 individual commendations announced for heroic actions during the violent incident at the North Perth clinic.

The incident occurred on the morning of September 28, 2023, when Christopher Bernard Healey entered the clinic carrying an axe and other weapons hidden in a cardboard box. Healey, a former patient, had become enraged after Dr. Anna Chaney excluded him from the practice and obtained a restraining order against him due to inappropriate messages. Healey initially entered the wrong consultation room before locating Dr. Chaney, who was with a pregnant patient at the time.

Clinic Staff and Patients Spring into Action

Dr. McCabe was consulting a patient when he heard screams from down the hall and rushed to assist, initially believing a colleague was managing a distressed individual. Another doctor, Ashleigh, helped her own patient escape before running back to swing open the closed door of the room where Dr. Chaney and her patient were trapped with the attacker.

Inside the room, the pregnant patient attempted to block Healey and grab the weapon to slow him down. Dr. McCabe pulled the patient to safety, threw the attacker across the room, and positioned himself between Healey and Dr. Chaney. Despite sustaining abdominal wounds, Dr. Chaney crawled down the hallway to a treatment room, where clinic staff provided immediate first aid. Dr. McCabe remained with the armed assailant until police arrived.

Attacker Sentenced as Doctor Highlights Collective Response

A colleague informed arriving police officers that the tall man holding the axe was Dr. McCabe and not the assailant, allowing officers to move past him and secure Healey. The clinic's receptionist called emergency services and evacuated the waiting area, while other patients and staff also offered assistance. Dr. Chaney was hospitalized and subsequently recovered from her injuries.

Healey pleaded guilty to six charges, including the attempted murder of Dr. Chaney, endangering the life of her patient, aggravated stalking, and possessing a controlled weapon. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison. Dr. McCabe stated he was humbled by the award and emphasized that Dr. Chaney, her patient, and the entire clinic team demonstrated immense courage during the ordeal.