Police guard hearings after US medical watchdog bombed

US medical disciplinary hearings will be under police guard today after a car bomb attack left the panel’s chief fighting for his life.

Dr Trent Pierce, head of the Arkansas panel that licenses and disciplines doctors, received horrific injuries when the bomb exploded in his driveway as he was leaving for work yesterday.

Police said they had no idea why someone would target the GP, who chairs the Arkansas State Medical Board.

The explosive device placed on or near the car shattered the front of his white Lexus vehicle, in a blast that could be heard a mile away from his home in West Memphis.

Father of two Dr Pierce, who lost an eye and received severe burns and shrapnel wounds, underwent hours of surgery at Regional Medical Centre in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was said to be in a critical condition today.

West Memphis police chief Bob Paudert said it was not known if the doctor was in his car or outside it when the device exploded.

He said Dr Pierce was sedated and investigators were waiting to to speak to him.

Dr Pierce had been due in Little Rock later yesterday, ahead of today and tomorrow’s medical board meetings. The board agenda includes at least seven doctors who previously faced disciplinary action.

Police used bomb-sniffing dogs last night to scan the board’s headquarters. State police investigators and detectives spoke to workers and accessed Dr Pierce’s email account. Officers also plan to provide security during the board’s hearings.

Board lawyer William Trice, of Little Rock, said he knew of no heated disputes involving Dr Pierce and that he often did not even take part in board votes.

“This is just off the wall,” Mr Trice said. “It’s just such bizarre circumstances.”

Married Dr Pierce, who is in his 50s, was appointed to the board in January 1997 and reappointed in 2005. The board oversees the practice of medicine in Arkansas and can discipline doctors for wrongdoing, including revoking their medical licences.

He received no threatening emails or letters at work, nor had there been any outbursts during recent meetings targeting him, Mr Trice said.

The board regulates more than 8,000 doctors, 3,000 therapists and nearly 400 osteopaths. Since 2007, the board has disciplined 33 medical practioners - including 11 who had licences suspended or revoked.

Bill Sadler, a state police spokesman, said troopers across Arkansas interviewed board members and other staffers to see if there had been any threats.

Dr Pierce’s car sat wrecked in his driveway last night, its bonnet open and bumper partially torn away.