Witnesses describe ‘running for their lives’ after stabbing on major road

Witnesses described how people were ‘running for their lives’ after blades were drawn and two people suffered injuries in front of families in north London.

A fight broke out on Kilburn High Road at just after 5.40 on Sunday. 

One of the victims staggered into a chicken shop seeking help after the incident which took place in a street full of shoppers. 

Both the injured people were taken to a major trauma centre with paramedics from the air ambulance among those scrambled to the scene. 

One man, 38, who lives near the chicken shop where one victim collapsed told Metro: ‘It was very frightening people were running all over the place, it’s like they were running for their lives to get away, people had no idea if it was a terror incident or what.

‘One guy staggered down the road with what looked like a stab injury. This was in front of shoppers with kids and people out for their Sunday lunch. They were all scattering and heading for shelter in shops. There was panic.’

A local shopkeeper told Metro: ‘I heard someone shout ‘he’s been stabbed’ and there was a guy staggering. The next thing there was a swarm of police and ambulances. 

‘It was busy on the high road you don’t expect this at that time. Maybe after pub throwing out time but this is truly shocking.’

A number of police cars were at the scene and the Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation. 

Detectives are collecting CCTV footage from around the scene as part of the inquiry. 

A large police cordon was set up along Kilburn High Road yesterday but had been opened by this morning. 

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 5.46pm on Sunday 5 January to reports of a stabbing on Kilburn High Road, NW6.

‘We sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic and an incident response officer. We also dispatched a trauma team in a car from London’s Air Ambulance.

‘We treated two patients at the scene and took them to major trauma centres.’

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: ‘Police were called at approximately 17:50hrs on Sunday, 5 January to reports of a stabbing in Kilburn High Road, NW6.

‘Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and found two teenage males – aged 15 and 17 – suffering stab injuries at different locations along Kilburn High Road. Both were taken to hospital for treatment. Neither person’s injuries are life threatening.

‘The 17-year-old has been arrested as part of this investigation.

‘Crime scenes were put in place – these have now been lifted.

‘Enquiries into the circumstances continue.’

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