Bus teenager stabbed 24 times

A teenager was fatally stabbed 24 times in a frenzied knife attack by a mob of youths who ambushed him at a bus stop, detectives said tonight.

Daniel Graham, 18, died from catastrophic injuries after a 45 second attack near East Dulwich railway station, in south London, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Investigators revealed new details of the horrific attack tonight as they appealed for witnesses to help them catch at least six men responsible for the murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Manning, who is leading the inquiry, said officers have been met by a wall of silence among young people who attended a party before the killing.

He said: "This was a completely frenzied attack in full view of dozens of people. The attackers made no attempt to cover their faces. Daniel was stabbed 24 times.

"Witnesses described a gang raining blows on to him. Someone was hitting him with a bottle and others were kicking and punching him. Another man was described as punching him in the side.

"I went to meet his family yesterday. His mother is just deeply traumatised. I think it is almost impossible for her to take anything in."

Trouble first erupted at Dulwich Hamlet FC and in the car park of an adjacent branch of Sainsbury's about 300 metres from where Mr Graham was stabbed.

Police said between 50 and 100 young people from across south London attended an event at the club, falsely billed as a young woman's 18th birthday party.

The event was actually dubbed "Single For The Night" on Facebook and many people were charged entry although some simply sneaked in through fire exits.

Mr Manning said a number of low level scuffles took place during the evening, probably between rival gangs from the Dulwich and Peckham areas.

But just before midnight two or three shots were fired, sparking panic among the revellers and leaving a 14-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the leg.

The senior detective said dozens of people ran outside where further shots may have been fired in the supermarket car park as fireworks were also set off.

Mr Graham sprinted from the car park and got on a number 176 double decker bus where he sat at the back of the ground floor with a hood pulled over his head and a hand covering his face.

Mr Manning said: "Witnesses described him as clearly trying to avoid somebody and he was in a state of high anxiety and trying to conceal himself at the back of the bus.

"A few seconds later he jumped up, pressed an emergency button and gets off through the rear doors, literally pulling the doors open as they close.

"Tragically, the people looking for him were waiting outside at the bus stop. He is attacked beside some bicycle racks a short distance from the stop.

"The attack took place in full view of dozens and dozens of people on the bus. Passengers started shouting at the bus driver who is about to move off.

"A member of the public bravely gets off the bus and starts shouting at the gang. Others get out of pubs and restaurants and join in as well.

"The guy who got off the bus picked Daniel up. The attackers were described by witnesses as 'sauntering off' down the road."

The bus driver then closed the doors and drove the bus to Lordship Lane because a second gang of youths were running after it. It was then met by an ambulance and police.

Mr Manning said passengers gave Daniel first aid on the bus but he lost consciousness within minutes and died several hours later at King's College Hospital.

Meanwhile, the teenage gunshot victim flagged down a passing car driver who took him to King's College Hospital. Police do not know if he was targeted or hit by accident.

Police will flood the surrounding streets, as well as buses and trains serving the area, in a bid to flush out fresh witnesses tonight.

More than 40 police officers from the Met and British Transport Police (BTP) will be on duty armed with leaflets on the one week anniversary of the murder.

They will use Bluetooth technology to automatically send an appeal message to the mobile phones of people in the area.

A 15-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murder and a 13-year-old boy arrested over the shooting have been released on bail. Both are from Peckham.

:: Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 0208 721 4054 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.