Police have confirmed that all six of those injured have now been discharged from hospital
15:24, 31 Dec 2025Updated 15:44, 31 Dec 2025
Police forensics officers in Newton Community Hospital in Newton-le-Willows (Image: Liverpool ECHO)
A man arrested after six people were injured in a hospital attack spent more than 90 minutes in the waiting area before the incident. Merseyside Police were called to Newton Community Hospital in Newton-le-Willows at around midday on Tuesday following reports a man had assaulted a number of people with a weapon.
The ECHO understands the suspect, a 20-year-old man originally from Afghanistan but living a short distance from the hospital in Newton-le-Willows, entered the GP practice on Tuesday morning to ask for an appointment. But the ECHO understands he was not registered with the practice and was told he would not be able to book in for a consultation.
And the ECHO also understands that the suspect arrived at around 10.30am and spent around 90 minutes in the waiting room. It is believed the man did not leave the hospital before the attack began.
A man was said to have smashed a counter with the metal bar before targeting people inside the hospital. The ECHO understands both staff and patients were injured.
Sources have told the ECHO that people inside the hospital “barricaded themselves” in rooms during the attack. Pictures taken by the ECHO on Tuesday night showed smashed glass covering the ground and forensic officers in white suits setting up evidence markers.
Nurse Meg Lynch said she was getting a drink from a vending machine at the time of the attack. In a public Facebook post, she said: “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.”
She wrote online: “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.”
A nurse was allegedly battered from behind as she stopped to get a drink during her busy shift(Image: (Image: Meg Lynch/Facebook))
A total of six people required specialist treatment for injuries including head lacerations, damage to arms and hands, and bruising. All are in a stable condition. Merseyside Police confirmed on Wednesday that all victims had been discharged.
The suspected weapon used in the incident has been recovered for forensic examination, while police officers continue witness and CCTV enquiries. A police spokesperson said officers remain at the hospital on Wednesday and a mobile station is on site to address any worries or concerns.
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.”
The suspect, who was detained at the scene, was arrested on suspicion of six counts of section 18 wounding, affray and criminal damage. He was taken to a police station in Merseyside and has now been detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act.
Video footage shows a man being dragged away by police after five people were reportedly attacked by a crowbar at Newton Community Hospital
A local 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.
“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.”
Local councillor, Seve Gomez-Aspron, told the ECHO a family friend had ran to his dad’s nearby house to say someone was attacking staff within the hospital. He said: “At around 12.10pm I got a phone call from my dad, who lives next to the hospital, to say a family friend had run to his house to tell him that someone was attacking staff within the hospital and damaging the reception area.
Police at the scene of an incident at Newton Community Hospital in Newton-le-Willows(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
“I live nearby, so I told him to call the police and I rushed to the hospital and so I got there within a few minutes. From receiving the call, to arriving, there had been a massive emergency response to deal with the incident.”
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust told the ECHO yesterday: “We can confirm that an incident occurred at Newton Hospital today (December 30, 2025), and the trust is working closely with Merseyside Police as they conduct their investigations.
“Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our staff, patients, and visitors, and we are providing full support to those affected. If you have an appointment at Newton Hospital, or are the next of kin of an inpatient, our team will contact you directly with any updates.”
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.