A woman injured in an alleged crowbar attack at a Merseyside hospital ran into a local shop covered in blood to asking for help and for the police to be called, according to an eyewitness.
Merseyside Police attended Newton Community Hospital in Newton-le-Willows at around midday today (December 30) following reports that a man had allegedly assaulted a number of people.
The suspect, a 20-year-old man originally from Afghanistan, is alleged to have damaged a counter before assaulting five people inside the hospital.
Merseyside Police believe the man was trying to make an appointment at the hospital but allegedly became “increasingly agitated” after his request was refused.
The man was asked to leave by staff, which allegedly saw the suspect then assault five people. It is still unknown if the injured people are staff or patients.
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Speaking to the Liverpool ECHO, a local shop worker at Best One, opposite the hospital, saw a woman came running into the store asking for help and to call the police.
Sugedaran Shanmugaraja said: “She had a lot of blood at the back of her head and on her shoulder. She was shaking and upset.
“I had to stay with the customers because I had a long queue but I passed her my phone and she called police. Next thing there were 10 or 15 police cars and an ambulance. I gave her a bottle of water and then a hospital nurse came in and helped the lady.”
Those who were injured are currently being treated by paramedics at the hospital for injuries, which police say are not life threatening.
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
The suspect has been arrested on suspicion of five counts of Section 18 wounding, affray and criminal damage. He has been taken to a police station in Merseyside and remains in custody, police have confirmed.
St Helens Neighbourhood Superintendent Sarah Rotherham said: “We were called to reports of a man behaving aggressively at the hospital who had assaulted a number of people.
“Officers attended immediately and the male was swiftly located and arrested. Paramedics attended at the hospital and carried out first aid on those who had been injured.
“I would like to take this opportunity to appeal for anyone who witnessed this incident at the hospital to contact us.”
The police added: “Anyone with information on the incident should contact the Merseyside Police social media desk @MerPolCC on X and Facebook quoting reference 25001060801. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.
“Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously“
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