On June 11, a small altercation at First Hospital in Kingston, Pa., led to what Pennsylvania officials called "a full-blown riot," resulting in five people being taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life threatening, Eyewitness News affiliate PAHomepage reported June 12.
A 911 dispatcher received a call from hospital staff at approximately 8:30 p.m. reporting that there was a riot at the third-floor youth wing of the psychiatric hospital.
Patients involved in the riot were using anything available as weapons against the staff, who barricaded themselves in a room to prevent them from being assaulted, according to PAHomepage.
Both Kingston- and Wilkes-Barre-area police responded to the call.
The riot sent two staff members and three patients to the hospital, and two riot participants were taken away in handcuffs.
"There's a considerable amount of damage but, in very short time the Kingston Police managed to get the situation under control," Samuel Sanguedolce, Luzerne district attorney, told Eyewitness News.
"We appreciate the timely response and support from first responders during an incident last evening. Individuals taken to the hospital have all been medically cleared," Annmarie Poslock, vice president of marketing and communications for Commonwealth Health, said in a statement.