US: A hospital's chief of neuro-surgery was wrestled to an operating theatre floor by deputies and arrested after allegedly throwing a drunken fit when a nurse refused to let him operate.
Federico Castro-Moure (45) was arrested on Monday at Highland Hospital, Oakland, California, on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol and interfering with the duty of officers, Alameda County sheriff Lieut Jim Knudson told the Oakland Tribune.
Mr Castro-Moure became belligerent after insisting on operating on a man who had broken both ankles and fractured his spine, according to the sheriff's department.
Two other surgeons had determined the injuries were not life-threatening, but Mr Castro-Moure insisted the man would die.
He "threw a fit" and began yelling and cursing at staff when they told him equipment for the procedure needed to be brought from another hospital, according to the newspaper.
When the instruments arrived, a nurse refused to allow him to operate until they were sterilised.
Mr Castro-Moure threatened a nurse by punching his fist in his hand. He took a swing at deputies after they were called to intervene.
The surgeon was placed on leave while the hospital investigates the matter, hospital spokesman David Cone said. - (AP)