Police have arrested a man in his 20s following a violent rampage in the waiting room of Bolton Hospital's accident and emergency department on Friday afternoon. Officers were called just after 4pm to reports of a man attacking other patients inside the hospital.
Witness Michael Anderson, 34, who was waiting with his pregnant partner, described how the suspect punched a frail man in the face, causing him to fall to the ground. When another patient tried to intervene, the suspect allegedly bit off part of his ear.
Mr Anderson said he and a nurse were forced to pin the suspect to the floor to prevent further attacks before security arrived. He recalled that the suspect had become increasingly agitated, stood up, counted every person in the waiting room, then went into a corridor where he began screaming before launching the assaults.
After the incident, Mr Anderson described a scene of chaos, with people in disbelief and a young woman suffering a panic attack. Photographs showed several police vehicles outside the A&E entrance.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of section 18 and section 47 assault, police assault, and racially aggravated public order. The force did not provide details of the injuries sustained by the victims.
