A quiet afternoon at Newton Community Hospital in Merseyside shattered today as a man launched a violent attack, leaving multiple people injured and a community reeling.
The first sign of trouble came when a woman, bleeding from a head wound, stumbled into a nearby Best One shop desperately seeking help. She handed a phone to a shop worker, uttering the chilling words: “Somebody is attacking everybody.”
Within minutes, the area transformed into a scene of urgent activity. Approximately ten to fifteen police cars descended on the hospital, their sirens cutting through the stillness. Nurses rushed from the hospital to provide immediate aid to the injured woman in the shop.
Outside the store, a grey Toyota Urban Cruiser, a bottle of water resting precariously on its roof, became a focal point of the investigation, cordoned off with police tape. Authorities believe the vehicle belonged to the attacker.
Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron received a frantic call from his father, a resident living next to the hospital. A family friend had raced to his door, reporting a violent assault unfolding within the hospital’s reception area.
Gomez-Aspron immediately rushed to the scene, witnessing a massive emergency response already underway. He praised the swift and courageous actions of Merseyside Police and the North West Ambulance Service, who raced towards an unknown danger.
Superintendent Sarah Rotherham of St Helens Neighbourhood Police confirmed that officers responded to reports of a man behaving aggressively and assaulting several individuals at the hospital. The suspect was quickly apprehended by officers on site.
Paramedics provided on-the-spot first aid to those injured in the attack. Police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward with any information regarding the incident.
The arrested man, originally from Afghanistan, is currently in custody facing serious charges, including five counts of Section 18 wounding, affray, and criminal damage. The investigation is ongoing.
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust released a statement emphasizing their priority: the safety and wellbeing of staff, patients, and visitors. They are offering full support to those affected and are directly contacting individuals with scheduled appointments or those with loved ones currently hospitalized.
The North West Ambulance Service dispatched a significant number of resources, including an advanced paramedic team, five emergency ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, and even the air ambulance. Five patients were transported to local hospitals for treatment.
The community remains shaken by the sudden eruption of violence, awaiting further details as the police investigation unfolds. The area around the hospital remains cordoned off as authorities continue their work.
