Meg Lynch said she was getting a drink from a vending machine when she was attacked
11:09, 31 Dec 2025Updated 11:15, 31 Dec 2025
Meg Lynch said she ‘ran and hid'(Image: Meg Lynch/Facebook)
A district nurse said she was “lucky to be alive” after being attacked by a man in the hospital where she works. Meg Lynch said she was working in Newton Community Hospital yesterday when a man launched a crowbar attack which injured a number of people.
Merseyside Police were called to the hospital in Newton-le-Willows at around midday on Tuesday December 30 following reports a man had assaulted a number of people. Yesterday afternoon, a spokesperson for the force said a man had been arrested. Police said It was believed he had entered the hospital to ask for an appointment but became “increasingly agitated” when his request was refused and he was asked to leave.
The man was said to have damaged a counter before assaulting at least five people inside the hospital.
In a public post on her Facebook page Meg, who is from Wigan and a registered nurse at Mersey and West Lancs Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust according to her profile, said she ran away and hid behind a door after the terrifying attack.
In an update this morning, Merseyside Police said a total of six people needed treatment in hospital and 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.
A 20 year-old man who police said was originally from Afghanistan was taken to a police station in Merseyside and has now been detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.
Meg said in her public Facebook post: “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 12pm, I was attacked at work, at the hospital I am based at.”
A nurse was allegedly battered from behind as she stopped to get a drink during her busy shift(Image: (Image: Meg Lynch/Facebook))
Meg said she was getting a drink from a vending machine at the time of the attack.
She added: “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.”
Meg praised the “amazing” treatment she received at Whiston A&E, where she required stitches to her head. She shared graphic pictures of her injuries in the post.
Meg said: “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.”
Meg shared pictures of her injuries on Facebook(Image: Meg Lynch/Facebook)
A scene remains in place at the community hospital this morning 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.
There will be high visibility policing patrols in the local area. Merseyside Police says its 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.”
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.