A nurse was caught up in a hospital horror when six people were hurt during a ‘rampage’
A nurse has described being seriously assaulted with a crowbar during an incident involving multiple members of staff at a city hospital.
Police were called to Newton Community Hospital shortly after midday on Tuesday following reports of a violent disturbance. Six people were injured during the attack, with one nurse stating she was severely beaten as the individual targeted NHS employees on site.
A significant police presence was deployed to the Liverpool hospital to secure the building and manage the situation. Emergency services provided immediate treatment to the injured staff members, while authorities worked to bring the suspect into custody, the Mirror reports.
The hospital was placed under a security alert as the investigation into the motives behind the attack began. Further details regarding the condition of the injured staff have not yet been fully released by the health trust.
One nurse later told how she felt ‘lucky I’m still alive’ after she fled covered in blood from the attack.
The force later revealed how the man is thought to have attended the hospital to request an appointment but became “increasingly agitated” when his request was declined and he was asked to leave.
He was reported to have damaged a counter before assaulting multiple people inside the hospital, according to Merseyside Police.
One of the staff members caught up in the suspected rampage told how she had stopped her busy shift to get a drink from a vending machine when she was allegedly attacked from behind and felt ‘a few blows to the head’.
She said she was forced to run and hide later needing to have her ‘head sewn back together’.
On her Facebook page, Meg Lynch posted: “Just an update to everyone who’s been concerned, as I’ve not had the chance to reply to everyone .Today, as a district nurse, around 12:00 I was attacked at work, at the hospital I am based at.
“I was beaten nearly to death with a crow bar by an unknown man, who started attacking me from behind with the crow bar, as I stood getting a drink from a vending machine. After a few blows to the head, I ran, I hid and did what I could do, to get a door between me and him.
“I’ve been to Whiston A&E, who was absolutely amazing to me. My CT scans and X ray have come back clear and I’ve had my head sewn back together, after they cut all the matted blood out
” I honestly don’t know why this man did this to me and other workers of the hospital, but I’m so so so lucky I’m still alive and I’m so lucky I ran when I did, otherwise I wouldn’t be here right now.”
She later thanked everyone for their kind words and said she was now “home and safe with my family taking care of me. Very sore and in a state of shock but I’m okay.”
In an update Merseyside Police said a total of six people needed hospital treatment and treatment at walk-in centres after the incident.
Their injuries included head lacerations, injuries to their arms and hands, and bruising. All are in a stable condition.
The weapon used during the attack- a metal bar – has been recovered for forensic examination, witnesses are being spoken to and all available CCTV footage is being analysed.
The suspect, a 20 year-old man originally from Afghanistan, was taken to a police station in Merseyside and has now been detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.
A scene remains in place at the community hospital while enquiries into the incident continue. A mobile police station is also on site and people are encouraged to speak to officers with any worries or concerns.
St Helens Local Policing Superintendent Sarah Rotherham said: “We understand that this incident would have caused concern for the local community and I hope the public feel reassured by the increased police presence.
“I would ask anyone with concerns to speak to one of our officers or contact their local police station.”
