Safety Failures Highlighted in Murder of Ambulance Worker Helena Löfgren in Harmånger

Helena Löfgren, a 47-year-old ambulance worker, was tragically murdered on September 20, 2025, while responding to an emergency call in Harmånger, Nordanstig. The assailant, a 26-year-old man with a known history of violence against ambulance personnel, attacked Löfgren upon her arrival, resulting in fatal injuries.

Prior to the incident, colleagues had reported multiple violent encounters involving the same patient, including a recent attack where an ambulance worker was assaulted with a baseball bat just three days earlier. Despite these warnings, management at Region Gävleborg failed to inform or warn the staff about the potential risks, a lapse that workplace safety expert Tommy Iseskog identifies as a violation of labor laws. Iseskog emphasized that this failure significantly increased the risk to personnel and could lead to legal repercussions for the region.

Region Gävleborg has yet to comment on the situation, citing the ongoing police investigation. The case underscores serious concerns over workplace safety protocols and the responsibilities of health authorities to protect ambulance workers in high-risk situations.

This incident adds to growing calls for better communication and preventive measures to safeguard emergency responders from known threats in their work environment.