Christchurch mayor says hospital staff should be escorted, following attack by masked man

Staff say a shortage of carparks at the hospital is forcing them to walk some distance to their vehicles. Photo / NZPA

Christchurch's Mayor is calling for all early morning and late night staff at Christchurch Hospital to be escorted to work.

It follows a terrifying attack on a nurse walking through Hagley Park from her car early on Saturday.

A man in a Halloween mask pressed what's believed to have been a gun to her head.

One shift worker, who wants to remain anonymous, told Newstalk ZB the shortage of carparks was forcing staff to walk long distances in the dark. Some are waiting for others to finish work and walking in groups.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel says the DHB should be ensuring security guards can take staff to their vehicles, at any time.

It was appalling there are empty spaces near the hospital, which aren't being leased for parks, she said.