An assailant reportedly entered a hospital in central Germany armed with a crossbow and killed a worker, police said on Thursday.

The victim, a 50-year-old woman, died from her wounds "despite immediate medical care" at the hospital in Bad Zwesten in the state of Hesse.

What we know so far

According to authorities, the crime occurred on Wednesday afternoon. 

The perpetrator fled the scene immediately after the crime, reportedly running into a neighboring neurological and psychiatric clinic.

Police launched an extensive search and were able to identify a 58-year-old man from the district of Passau as the suspect.

Police later managed to arrest him overnight at a highway service station in the Lower Franconia area of northern Bavaria. Authorities also said they had secured "extensive" evidence, without elaborating.

The authorities have not named the suspect, or given any information on a possible motive. They did say, however, the perpetrator was in protective custody.

"Due to the ongoing investigation we are not at liberty to provide further detailed information about the crime," a police spokesperson said.

The Kassel public prosecutor's office said it would apply to the responsible district court for the accused to be remanded in custody.

'We are shocked' say hospital staff

Hospital staff were informed of the crime on Thursday morning.

"We are shocked by this brutal and tragic crime," said a hospital spokesperson, "our thoughts are with the victim, her family and all those affected."

The hospital spokesperson said that staff psychologists and hospital pastors were attending to the needs of hospital employees. 

Hospital outpatient care will not be available at the clinic until at least Friday. 

es/rc (AFP, dpa)