Horrifying CCTV footage shows the moment when a health worker was savagely attacked and robbed as she travelled home from work.

Dr. Nina Rothschild, a scientist at New York’s Department of Health, was kicked down a flight of stairs as she entered the New York subway’s Queens Plaza Station on the evening of last Thursday (February 24).

The attacker then pulled out a hammer and repeatedly hit Dr. Rothschild in the head thirteen times, according to a police report, before taking two mobile phones, and a purse containing a quantity of cash and bank cards.

Police have arrested 57-year-old William Blount in connection with the vicious attack. Blount is facing charges of attempted murder, robbery and assault.

Dr. Rothschild’s brother Gerson Rothschild, who is also a scientist, told ABC-TV: “From what she told me on the phone, she was just walking down the steps to get into the subway on the way home from work when she was attacked by somebody from behind.

“She kept screaming, ‘Stop! Stop!’ but the person … wouldn’t stop”.

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Dr. Rothschild is so far recovering well from her injuries: "Happily, Nina is indeed getting stronger by the day," Mr Rothschild said.

“Intellectually she is clear on events from 30 years ago and from three days ago and I attribute that to the excellent care of the trauma team at NYP-Weill Cornell who knew to relieve the increased intracranial pressure immediately upon her arrival at the hospital.

“She has not yet gotten out of bed,” he added, “so questions of coordination and balance remain currently unanswered.”

In a statement, NY City Health Department Commissioner Dave Chokshi said Rothschild was a “hero.”

"Nina has worked tirelessly in service to her fellow New Yorkers and she is truly a public health hero," he wrote.

"The Health Department and I will do everything we can to support her in her recovery — and we ask that all New Yorkers keep her and her family in their thoughts while respecting their privacy during this difficult time."

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