A nurse has recounted a horrifying ordeal where she was allegedly beaten with a metal crowbar by a patient inside a Merseyside hospital, stating she is fortunate to be alive. The incident, which occurred at Newton Community Hospital in Newton-le-Willows, left six people requiring medical treatment.
Nurse's Harrowing Account of the Attack
Meg Lynch, the nurse who was assaulted, provided a detailed update on social media. She described how the attack began without warning as she was getting a drink from a vending machine. "I was beaten nearly to death with a crowbar by an unknown man, who started attacking me from behind," she wrote.
After sustaining several blows to the head, she managed to flee and barricade herself behind a door. Lynch was treated at Whiston Hospital's A&E department, where she received stitches to her head after staff cleaned matted blood from her wounds. Her CT scans and X-rays subsequently came back clear. "I'm so so so lucky I'm still alive," she added, crediting her decision to run for her survival.
Police Response and Suspect Details
Merseyside Police were called to the community hospital shortly after midday following reports of a man becoming "increasingly agitated" after being denied an appointment. The situation escalated, with the individual allegedly damaging a counter before assaulting several people.
A force spokesman confirmed that six people were treated for injuries including head lacerations, wounds to arms and hands, and bruising. All are now in a stable condition. Officers arrested a 20-year-old man at the scene on suspicion of six counts of wounding, affray, and criminal damage.
The suspect, who lives locally and is originally from Afghanistan, was taken to a police station and later detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act. The metal crowbar believed to have been used in the attack was recovered for forensic examination.
Community Shock and Ongoing Investigation
Local councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron, whose father lives next to the hospital, said the news was a profound shock to the Newton-le-Willows community. He praised the swift response of the emergency services who "ran into a scenario where danger is unknown."
Superintendent Sarah Rotherham of Merseyside Police acknowledged the concern the incident would have caused. "I hope the public feel reassured by the increased police presence," she stated, confirming that a scene remained in place at the hospital and a mobile police station was on site in the immediate aftermath.
The investigation into the violent hospital attack continues as authorities work to understand the full circumstances of the event that has shaken staff and the local area.
