The schoolboy was treated at the scene in Woolwich but died soon after medics arrived
The schoolboy was treated at the scene in Woolwich but died soon after medics arrived
A 14-year-old boy has been stabbed to death on a bus in what police have described as an “horrendous crime”. Emergency services were called to a street in Woolwich, in south-east London, after being called just before 2:30pm this afternoon, January 7.
Pictures from the scene show a number of police and ambulance vehicles surrounding a red double-decker bus. The schoolboy was treated at the scene but died soon after medics arrived, Metropolitan Police said.
Police confirmed the stabbing took place on a Route 472 bus on Woolwich Church Road close to the junction with the A205 South Circular Road. A friend of the victim who stopped at the police cordon broke down in tears.
Speaking to The Mirror, he said: “That’s my friend. He’s my good friend. I used to see him after school, he didn’t deserve this. He was a nice person. I finished school and my mum told me he got stabbed. He was a very nice person. He was good at football, but I don’t think he was perusing it as a career.”
Met Police said no arrests have been made so far and that the investigation is at an early stage. Forensic officers in blue suits were seen taking photographs and examining inside and outside the double decker shortly after 6pm.
A large cordon remain in place on the busy major road from the junction next to Frances Street up to the the junction with the A205 South Circular Road. A passer-by said: “I’ve only just heard what happened. It’s tragic.”
Borough commander for Woolwich, Superintendent Louise Sargent, described the murder as an “horrendous crime”. She said: “I am very sad to say that this afternoon a 14 year old boy has died following an incident in Woolwich. Police were called just before 2.30pm to a report of a stabbing on a bus.
“The incident occurred on a route 472 bus on Woolwich Church Street. Officers attended with London Ambulance Service and the London Air Ambulance. The initial alert was made by a police officer out on patrol. Paramedics treated a 14 year old boy at the scene who had received stab wounds. But really sadly he died shortly after medics arrived.
“Our thoughts at this time are with the victim’s family and friends. This is a horrendous crime and I cannot imagine what they must be going though right now.
“No arrests have been made at this early stage, but we are working at pace to identify and arrest those involved. Police cordons and road closures will remain in place while we continue to carry out enquiries. I know this will be a worrying time for everyone here in Woolwich, and all the more so given the very young age of the victim. The community can expect to see an enhanced police presence around the scene and the surrounding area.”
The schoolboy’s death follows another stabbing in Woolwich yesterday afternoon which has left an 18-year-old man fighting for his life. Police were called to Prince Imperial Road, near Woolwich Common, at 4.20pm to reports of the attack. The teenage victim was found with serious injuries by emergency services, who rushed him to hospital. He remains in a critical condition.
