Attack leaves mental patient tetraplegic

A Christchurch mental patient suffered spinal injuries after being pushed off a hospital patio.

Police are investigating a conflict between two patients at a Christchurch psychiatric hospital which left one a tetraplegic.

Detective Sergeant Mark Keane, of Hornby police, said police were investigating an incident at Hillmorton Hospital where one patient allegedly pushed another off a patio.

This resulted in the victim suffering serious - and likely permanent - spinal injuries, he told The Press newspaper.

He said that the victim had been entertaining a visitor on the hospital's outdoor patio on December 29.

A dispute occurred with another patient who allegedly pushed the first pair off the patio- a drop of almost one metre.

Mr Keane said staff and patients were being interviewed over the incident with police hoping to complete their inquiries this week.

He said police would need to take into account the alleged offender's mental state when deciding whether it was appropriate to press charges.

- NZPA