A Sheba Medical Center doctor and two nurses were stuck in a room with the body of a dead man, as the patient's relatives threatened them, cursed them, and attempted to assault the doctor early Thursday morning.

The 70-year-old patient had been in a coma for the past 18 months, following a stroke. His family accuses the medical staff of responsibility for his death. The relatives allegedly pushed a nurse, rampaged through the corridors, tore pictures from the walls and broke objects, sources told Haaretz.

The incident began at 2 A.M. when the man, a frequent patient, was taken by ambulance from his nursing home to Internal Medicine Ward A. Because of his coma, the man had contracted several serious infections and received frequent treatments at the hospital.

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The man was given antibiotics, but his condition did not improve, hospital staff said. Around 2 A.M., his bedside monitor indicated that his heart had stopped.

"The medical staff began resuscitation, and continued for much longer than is customary," a hospital source told Haaretz. "These efforts lasted half an hour ... The staff did everything possible to save the patient."

Hospital officials say that throughout the treatment, the staff was subjected to criticism from several of the patient's relatives. After they were told the man had died, the relatives turned on the doctor and nurses, cursing and threatening them.

"They threatened to murder the doctor and cursed her parents, wishing them a painful death. They tried to enter the room where the deceased lay with the two scared nurses and a doctor, but one of the nurses held them off. At one point, a family member shoved a nurse and entered the room in an effort to attack the doctor," a hospital source said.

Security guards and police officers were called to the scene, where they had to call for back-up to bring the family members under control.

The doctor and nurses were instructed to remain inside the room, and were allowed out an hour later, under police protection. Then the relatives were let in to bid farewell to the deceased.

But the threats against the doctor continued. "They told the doctor that they'll hunt her down," the eyewitness said.

A hospital source said the ward's activity was disrupted until 5 A.M. because of the "atmosphere of terror" the family created.

In the wake of this incident, the physicians' committee at Sheba is scheduled to hold an informational meeting Sunday for all doctors on staff. Wards will operate at a reduced weekend roster between noon and 2 P.M. Sunday.