Martha Toscano, who works as a nurse at Bellevue Hospital, was reportedly attacked by 15 thugs who beat her and stole her purse, police sources and the victim told the newspaper.

“I thought they were going to kill me,” Ms Toscano told The Post in a phone call on Thursday.

“They hit me on the head, on the face, I run and fell on the floor and they keep hitting me," she said.

Three men driving past in a car were said to have interrupted the attack, helping Ms Toscano to her feet and attempting to chase after her stolen purse without success.

According to the report, the nurse suffered minor injuries from the attack, but was also seriously emotionally impacted by the incident.

She said she did not know when she would be able to return to work because she was “so afraid.”

“I have pain in all my body,” she said. “My back, my neck, bumps on my head, even on my elbows,” she said.

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“My first day back was Sunday … and then this,” Ms Toscano told The Post, reportedly in tears. The nurse is said to now be recovering at home with her fiance.