Stabbed woman was attack witness

Version 0 of 1.

A 44-year-old woman who intervened when she saw a teenager being stabbed on a bridge in Cheshire is in hospital after the knifeman turned on her.

She was stabbed twice on Tuesday night after going to the aid of the woman, 19, on the Runcorn-Widnes bridge.

Minutes after the stabbings, a third woman - a relative of the teenager - was punched at a house in Runcorn.

An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and assault and remains in custody.

Both stab victims were taken to Whiston Hospital where they underwent surgery on Wednesday.

Victims stable

Medical staff say their injuries are serious, but not believed to be life-threatening, and their conditions are stable.

The third victim, 45, was taken to hospital with facial injuries and has since been released.

Cheshire Police said the teenage victim was walking across the bridge with her attacker - who she knew - when the assault happened.

Officers want to speak to anyone who crossed the bridge at the time of the attack, between 2200 GMT and 2230 GMT.

Police closed the Liverpool-bound lane on the bridge overnight, but all four lanes are now open.