A Queensland security guard's life has been saved by bystanders after she was allegedly attacked while on duty at a shopping centre on the Sunshine Coast.
Emergency services were called to Sunshine Plaza about 11.20am on Sunday after reports a 39-year-old woman had been assaulted.
Police allege Coco J B Joyce Bishop-Hewitt, 24, left a retail store without paying for the clothing she had in her shopping trolley.
A staff member of the store and a security guard approached Ms Bishop-Hewitt, before she allegedly assaulted the security guard.
The security officer went into cardiac arrest but while paramedics were on the way bystanders and staff took the lead in performing CPR and using a defibrillator.
A Queensland Ambulance spokesperson said the bystanders likely saved the officer's life.
When critical care paramedics arrived, the security officer was conscious and taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a critical condition.
The officer's condition has now improved and she is stable.
Police located the alleged offender in the car park a short time after the incident.
Ms Bishop-Hewitt, from Currimundi, is facing one charge of robbery with violence and one charge of stealing.
She faced the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday where her bail application was refused and she was remanded in custody.
Her case was adjourned to June 30.
Union condemns 'terrible' act
United Workers Union coordinator Damien Davie said the alleged attack was a "terrible incident".
"Unfortunately, we weren't shocked. We have these sorts of incidents happening almost on a weekly basis," he said.
"All too often now security guards are getting assaulted in the line of duty."
When on patrols, security guards are not always accompanied by a partner, Mr Davie says.
"Security guards are often asked to patrol and confront offenders as individuals, whereas the police patrol in pairs and they don't attend situations without backup," he said.
"That's not the case with security officers, and they're doing it for less than $25 an hour. It's outrageous."
Mr Davie has called for more police to patrol large shopping precincts.
"Shopping centres rely on security guards to pick up the slack where police aren't there," he said.
"Security guards shouldn't be a substitute for the work that police should be doing."
