Hospital staff attacked by axeman

AN ATTACK yesterday on five medical staff and a policemen by a man wielding an axe in a hospital casualty department, has raised further questions about security in British hospitals.

Three nurses, two porters and a local policeman, all sustained injuries when a man pulled an axe from under his clothing in the casualty department of the Princess of Wales hospital in Bridgend, Glamorgan. The man, later identified as a 48-year-old who lived in the Bridgend area, had been standing at the accident and emergency reception counter when he began his attack.

Approaching a nurse on duty, he suddenly pulled out an axe and hit the nurse. Another nurse who immediately tried to help her colleague was also hit.

Patients and their families waiting in the casualty area were said to be 'extremely alarmed' as staff pushed a hidden panic button alerting the local police. As a third nurse and porters tried to restrain the man a window was smashed and damage sustained to other hospital property.

Within minutes PC Martin Thomas, from nearby Bridgend police station, arrived at the hospital. Both PC Thomas and one of the hospital's porters cornered the attacker. In attempting to disarm the axeman, both were hit by the axe. PC Thomas's arm was cut by the axe. The porter was hit in the leg.

The man was last night being held by police in Bridgend police station.

Carl Murray, deputy director of personnel at the hospital, said the attack was completely unprovoked.

Last night a spokesman for the Bridgend and District NHS Trust, said: 'We have begun a full investigation.' A full review of the modern 386-bed hospital security system is expected to head their list of priorities.