Hero hospital nurse stabbed as she tried to calm down man ‘furious over Covid visiting restrictions’

A HERO nurse was stabbed at a hospital yesterday as she tried to calm down a man who was allegedly furious over Covid visiting restrictions.

Armed police swooped on the scene as critical care nurse Joanne Kelly, 47, was raced into theatre for surgery on her wounds.

Witnesses say she was attacked outside the entrance to A&E after trying to calm down the agitated man.

A source claimed last night: “Apparently she was stopped by a man who was questioning her about Covid restrictions and visiting hours.

“He was agitated and she was trying to calm him down.

“Then she was stabbed. Security guards detained him quickly.”

A limited visiting pilot scheme at the hospital was halted earlier this month because of a hike in Covid admissions.

Bosses at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital said the pause was vital to enable services to continue as normal.

Relatives were on their way to visit Joanne yesterday.

'HE WAS AGITATED'

A woman, who said she was the nurse’s niece, told The Sun her aunt was “doing OK” and in a “good condition in hospital”.

Lee Butler earlier tweeted: “Can’t believe text I’ve just had off my Mrs.

“She works up new cross & a member of staff has just been stabbed.

“I don’t know why I am surprised but I am, scum everywhere.”

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said on Facebook: “There has been a police incident at New Cross Hospital.

“Police were on site and we increased security presence. There was no disruption to services.”

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “We arrested a man after a staff member was stabbed at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, just before 11am yesterday.

“Fortunately, the woman’s injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

“A 21-year-old man was detained on suspicion of wounding. Anyone with information is asked to contact us.”

The horror assault comes just 12 days after a Wolverhampton thug was jailed for knifing two paramedics.

Martyn Smith, 53, launched a frenzied attack on Deena Evans, 40, and Michael Hipgrave, 52, when they called to treat him.

He lunged at the West Midlands Ambulance Service workers with two 18in kitchen knives.

Smith was jailed for nine years after admitting wounding.