MAN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGED CROWBAR RAMPAGE LEAVES STAFF AND PATIENTS INJURED

A WOMAN injured in an attack at a Merseyside hospital ran into a local shop covered in blood and pleaded for help.

- By PATRICK EDRICH & EMILY CARUBIA

Police were called to Newton Community Hospital in Newton-le-Willows yesterday following reports that a man had assaulted a number of people with a crowbar.

A spokesperson for the force said the man was believed to have entered the hospital to ask for an appointment but became “increasingly agitated” when his request was refused and he was asked to leave.

The suspect, a 20-year-old man originally from Afghanistan, is said to have damaged a counter before assaulting at least five people inside the hospital. Their injuries are not life-threatening.

A shop worker at Best One, opposite the hospital, told the ECHO 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.