Surgeons who saved lives in Krakow shooting speak out

Shooting erupts in Krakow city centre

A gunman opened fire near Main Market Square on Saturday, killing six people and injuring 15. A British national and Austrian woman were among those killed alongside four Poles.

Two surgeons rush to help

Professor Michal Pędziwiatr and Dr Mateusz Wierdak were eating lunch with their families nearby when they heard gunshots. They immediately raced to the scene to treat victims.

Treating attacker and officers alike

Pędziwiatr treated the attacker and other victims while Wierdak worked on a police officer shot in the chest during the gunfight. Pędziwiatr said when treating the wounded, it does not matter who is who.

“When it comes to saving lives, it doesn't matter who is who.”

Emergency surgery saves officer's life

Wierdak packed bandages into the officer's chest wound during the wait for an ambulance. Pędziwiatr insisted the officer be taken to John Paul II Hospital for specialist thoracic and cardiac surgery.

“If not for that, I don't know how things would have turned out, as there was a long wait for the ambulance.”

Colleague undoubtedly saved his life

Pędziwiatr told news outlet Fakt that Wierdak undoubtedly saved the police officer's life through his emergency intervention on the street.

Officers emerge from comas

On Sunday, both police officers, identified as senior constables Jakub Kulik and Artur Morański, emerged from comas. Prime Minister hailed them as true heroes for preventing further deaths.

Terror investigation launched

Prosecutors launched a terror investigation after ministers said the twenty-four-year-old Polish attacker was apparently inspired by far-right ideologies. The attacker remains in critical condition.

Square reopens after security lifted

Main Market Square reopened on Sunday evening after a security cordon was lifted. The mayor submitted an urgent request for the two injured officers to be awarded honorary citizen titles.