Nurse Uses Jiu-Jitsu to Subdue Drunken Attacker in Australian Hospital

Australian nurse Daniel Nelson has shared a video of himself using jiu-jitsu to subdue an intoxicated man who attacked him in an emergency room at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in Brisbane, Queensland.

The incident occurred on October 29th, 2024, around 2 a.m. when a drunken man in his 20s caused a disturbance, spitting on the floor and hurling abuse at staff.

Nelson, who had trained in jiu-jitsu for over a decade, dodged the attack and took the man to the ground, immobilizing him by pinning his arm and body until security arrived about 30 seconds later.

The assailant was charged with assaulting a healthcare worker and fined $450 Australian dollars. Nelson released the video to highlight the violence faced by nurses and doctors in healthcare settings.

Nelson noted that being able to defend himself made the situation manageable, but he stressed that not all colleagues have this luxury, and smaller or physically weaker staff members might face dire consequences.