A nurse has said she was "beaten nearly to death" by an Afghan man with a crowbar in a hospital waiting room, where six people were injured.
Meg Lynch, 28, said she is "so, so, so lucky I’m still alive" after being hit on the back of the head while standing at the vending machine waiting for a drink at Newton Community Hospital in Newton-Le-Willows, Merseyside.
The district nurse posted photos on social media of her head that appeared to have been cut open, detailing how she suffered "a few blows to the head".
"I ran, I hid and did what I could do to get a door between me and him," she described of the terrifying ordeal.
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Merseyside Police confirmed that a total of six people required treatment following an incident at the hospital, with injuries including head lacerations, injuries to their arms and hands, and bruising.
The force confirmed all are in a stable condition.
Police said a metal bar believed to have been used in the incident has been recovered for forensic examination, while witnesses are being spoken to and CCTV is being analysed.
A 20-year-old man, residing in Newton-le-Willows but originally from Afghanistan, was arrested on suspicion of six counts of Section 18 wounding, affray and criminal damage, it was confirmed.
Meg Lynch shared photos on Facebook of her injuries after the terrifying ordeal
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The district nurse said she is 'so, so, so lucky I’m still alive' after being hit on the back of the head while standing at the vending machine waiting for a drink
|He has been taken to a police station in Merseyside and detained under the Mental Health Act.
After being rushed off to a nearby Accident and Emergency room, having her "head sewn back together", Ms Lynch said CT scans and X-rays had come back clear.
She said the attack occurred at 12:00 on Tuesday, December 30.
"I honestly don’t know why this man did this to me and other workers of the hospital," she wrote.
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Police arrived at Newton Community Hospital after hearing reports of the incident
|PA
"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."
Ms Lynch added that she is "home and safe with my family taking care of me", though in a "very sore and in a state of shock, but I’m okay".
The police said a scene remains in place at the community hospital while enquiries into the incident continue.
A mobile police station is also on site, and the force encouraged those with any worries or concerns to speak with an officer.
There will also be high-visibility policing patrols in the local area, and officers will continue to engage with staff and patients at the hospital as well as people living and working locally.
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."
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