Man arrested after nurse stabbed to death in hospital car park

A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder today following the death of a nurse in a hospital car park, police said.

The woman - named locally as Jane Clough - was stabbed to death last night in the staff car park of Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Lancashire Police said the arrested man was being held in custody.

It is understood he is a paramedic who works at the hospital.

A police officer stood guard at the entrance to the staff and residents' car park in Whinpark Avenue today.

One bouquet of flowers had been placed there, bearing a message to the 26-year-old woman which read: "Such a waste of a life RIP."

Two white forensic tents were erected in the car park - one covering two vehicles parked in residents-only spaces and the other directly in front.

The car park, situated near a suburban area, was cordoned off.

The nurse was rushed to the Accident and Emergency unit barely 100 yards away but her colleagues were unable to save her.

She was named locally as Jane Clough.

A colleague of the dead woman, who lives opposite the car park, said she worked in the Accident and Emergency department where she died.

Hospital porter Vaughan Cochrane, 54, of Whinney Heys Road, said: "She worked in A&E. She was always smiling, a really nice girl.

"From what I can gather she had just finished her shift and then something tragic happened. I've spoken to a few people at the hospital about it but no-one knows the full details yet.

"Me and my wife were on our way back from a meal when we got a phone call to say there was lots of police activity outside our house.

"When were got home there were police cars everywhere and a helicopter overhead."

The arrested man is believed to have worked at Blackpool Victoria until recently when he was transferred elsewhere within the health trust.

The suspect, of no fixed address, was detained by police at 7.30am today in the village of Barrowford, near Nelson, Lancashire.

At this stage police believe the victim may have been known to her attacker, detectives said.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Esseen, who is leading the investigation, said: "We have launched a murder inquiry following this incident and I would appeal for anyone with information to get in touch with us a matter of urgency."

In a statement, Marie Thompson, director of nursing and quality at Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are all shocked and devastated by the news of the tragic death of one of our nurses.

"We would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the nurse's family, friends and work colleagues at this difficult time."Anyone with information should call police on 0845 125 3545 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.