The Port Arthur Massacre: A Paramedic and a Psychologist Recall the Horror
On 28 April 1996, Martin Bryant killed 35 people and injured 12 others at the Port Arthur historic site in Tasmania, Australia.
The perpetrator, armed with an AR-15 rifle, carried out a rampage that began at the Broad Arrow Cafe and gift shop, where he fired 29 rounds in 90 seconds, killing 20 people. He later set fire to the Seascape guesthouse, where he had killed the owners, before being surrounded by police in a siege that ended the next day.
Paramedic Peter James"The scale of the killings was described by police as 'unthinkably high'."
Peter James was on holiday when he heard the radio reports. He drove to Hobart, then to a police command post at Taranna. At Port Arthur, he helped support volunteer ambulance officers and later assisted with crime scene walk-throughs.
His duties included body identification and protecting the deceased from Tasmanian devils. He worked for almost 24 hours straight. James advised rotating officers to reduce fatigue.
He found the Broad Arrow Cafe scene disturbing, describing a sense of stillness and silence.
He left around 3pm the next day, completely exhausted.
Psychologist Mike RyanMike Ryan attended the scene the following day.
He described the Broad Arrow Cafe as feeling "like a film set" and noted not being affected initially.
He recalled a beautiful morning with red-and-white mushrooms near the site. The coroner later commented that he would never return to the location.
Ryan noted that trauma can become personal when victims resemble the officer's own family.
Background on the Attack- Date: 28 April 1996
- Location: Port Arthur historic site, Tasmania, Australia
- Perpetrator: Martin Bryant
- Casualties: 35 killed, 12 injured
- Weapon: AR-15 rifle
Bryant's rampage included a sustained attack at the Broad Arrow Cafe and gift shop. After setting fire to the Seascape guesthouse, he was surrounded by police, and the siege ended the following day.