A mum who was repeatedly punched until she blacked out in front of her "traumatised" young children wants to thank the "heroic" stranger who intervened.

Emily Rogers, 34, went to Lewisham Hospital after picking up her kids from school on Friday.

The mum and her three kids were sat in the waiting room when her husband, who was there for tests, nipped out for a vape.

Five minutes after returning, he learned that his wife had been viciously attacked in front of his screaming children.

"A woman came in swearing and shouting at the receptionist," Emily explained to News Shopper.

"A lovely elderly chap behind us got up, probably to go the toilet. The woman took his seat and kept f-ing and blinding to herself."

The old gentleman returned to ask for his seat back, before being told that he was a "c*** who should f*** off".

Conscious of her young kids, aged six, three and 11 months, Emily turned and asked the woman to please calm down.

She said: "The next thing I get this massive blow on the back of my head. They kept raining down. My son was screaming 'that’s my mum' and I didn’t think it was going to stop.

"My son said she was using both hands and she punched me until I was unconscious."

Emily added: "My son is still quite traumatised. He was on my lap before being pushed off and said my head went floppy like a doll and he thought I had died."

News Shopper:

A man, described as having a ginger beard, was with his pregnant wife when he leapt up to prevent the attacker landing more blows.

"I didn’t know that at the time," Emily said. "I really want to say thank you to him. God knows what could have happened.

"It was a brave thing to get involved in."

FOLLOW UP: Man who helped mum battered unconscious in hospital plays down being a 'hero' 

The attacker eventually sprinted off and Emily was admitted with a head injury.

She also paid special recognition to the staff who helped her children during the horrific scare.

"They were so amazing. Three nurses came and they took each child and carried them into a room.

"My kids were completely hysterical, and they cuddled them, coloured with them and gave them juice.

"My son couldn’t stop shaking, he was petrified. One nurse had finished her shift and stayed with my daughter, she was just the kindest person."

Emily said her head felt as lumpy as a cauliflower after the attack and said today was the first day she could get out of bed.

She described her husband being "completely shocked" after only being absent for a short time.

Emily was able to return home that night and counselling has been offered to her son.

The mum added that she was keen to learn who the intervening stranger was and asked anyone who could assist to get in touch.

The attacker was said to be of mixed race and looked in her 30s.

News Shopper has contacted both the police and the hospital for further information.

UPDATE: A police spokesman said: "This incident is being treated as GBH.

"A full description of the female suspect has been obtained and officers will be reviewing CCTV footage of the attack.

"Enquiries continue. No arrests have been made."