A nurse who claims she survived being attacked by a man armed with a crowbar in a hospital waiting room declared today: 'I'm so, so, so lucky I'm still alive and I'm so lucky I ran when I did.'

Meg Lynch, 28, said she was 'nearly beaten to death' while stood getting a drink from a vending machine.

The district nurse, who suffered 'a few blows to the head' before running and hiding from her alleged attacker, told how she was left bloodied and bruised.

She had to go to a nearby accident and emergency unit for a CT scan and to have 'my head sewn back together'.

A 20-year-old Afghan man allegedly launched the attack after he was refused an appointment, and was arrested at the scene at Newton Community Hospital in Newton-Le-Willows, Merseyside, on suspicion of six counts of Section 18 wounding, affray and criminal damage.

In an update this morning, Merseyside Police said he had been detained under the Mental Health Act, and officers would be carrying out high-visibility patrols in the area. 

But Ms Lynch, one of six people injured in yesterday's horrific attack, added: 'I honestly don't know why this man did this to me and other workers of the hospital.' 

All of the injured are in a stable condition. Their injuries included head lacerations, injuries to their arms and hands, and bruising. 

Nurse Meg Lynch said she was 'nearly beaten to death' by an Afghan migrant while stood getting a drink from a vending machine

The district nurse, who suffered 'a few blows to the head' before running and hiding, told how she was left bloodied and bruised

In a Facebook post, she wrote: 'Just an update to everyone who's been concerned, as I've not had the chance to reply to everyone.

'As a district nurse, around 12:00 I was attacked at work, at the hospital I am based at.

'I was beaten nearly to death with a crowbar by an unknown man, who started attacking me from behind with the crowbar, as I stood getting a drink from a vending machine.

'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.

'I've been to Whiston A&E, who was absolutely amazing to me.

'My CT scans and X ray have come back clear and I've had my head sewn back together, after cutting 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, otherwise I wouldn't be here right now.'

Merseyside Police said the weapon believed to have been used - a metal bar - has been recovered for forensic examination, while 'witnesses are being spoken to and all available CCTV footage is being analysed'.