Paramedic quizzed after nurse is stabbed to death at hospital

Nurse Jane Clough and the suspect, named locally as Jonathan Vass, had lived and worked together before the fatal stabbing on Sunday night.

Miss Clough, 26, had just finished her shift in the accident and emergency (A&E) unit at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and was walking to her car when she was stabbed by an attacker who then left the scene on a bicycle.

Police were called to the scene in the staff car park at about 8.30pm and the nurse was rushed to the A&E unit where she worked, just 100 yards away.

Her colleagues battled to save her but she was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Vass, 30, was arrested at about 7.30am yesterday in his ex-partner's village of Barrowford, near Nelson, Lancashire.

He is understood to have worked alongside Miss Clough at the hospital until he was recently transferred elsewhere within the health trust.

It is understood Vass left his wife and the marital home in Fulwood, Preston, to move in with Miss Clough in Barrowford before they also separated.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "A post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death is due to take place later today.

"A 30-year-old man from Preston was arrested on suspicion of murder in Barrowford this morning and is currently in police custody."

Det Chief Insp Neil Esseen, leading the investigation, said: "This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with Jane Clough's family, who are being supported by specially trained officers.

"There is a dedicated team of detectives working on this case and we are following up a number of lines of inquiry. However, I would like to appeal to anybody who has information they think may help to contact police."

A bunch of flowers was left outside Miss Clough's end-terrace home in Camden Street, Barrowford, yesterday.

A neighbour said the nurse had just returned to work after having a daughter and the couple had previously lived together for about 18 months.

He said: "I saw a few police cars driving around the street here this morning but I didn't see him (Vass)."

Miss Clough's parents, who also live in Barrowford, said they were too upset to talk about the incident.

The director of nursing and quality at Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Marie Thompson, said: "We are all shocked and devastated by the news.

"We would like to offer our sincerest condolences to Jane's family, friends and work colleagues at this difficult time.

"Jane had worked as a registered nurse in the A&E Department at Blackpool Victoria Hospital for four years and was a valued and popular member of the team.

"She was described by her work colleagues as a very caring,

compassionate and highly competent A&E nurse."