Sutton Coldfield stabbing: Pregnant woman gives birth in hospital after being stabbed in town centre

A 40-year-old woman is in critical condition in hospital after being stabbed multiple times by a man she knew

(Hibah Mirza/Twitter)

The baby of a pregnant woman who was stabbed in the street in Sutton Coldfield has been born in hospital.

A 40-year-old woman was stabbed multiple times by a man she knew in the town centre shortly after 3:15pm.

Two passerbys - both men - sustained minor injuries to their hands after they intervened to help her.

A 41-year-old man was immediately detained at the scene in connection with the attack.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said the baby was "doing well" but it's mother remained in critical condition in hospital.

The woman was air lifted to hospital shortly after 4pm.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said an ambulance, paramedic area support officer, a BASICS doctor and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford attended the scene.

A service spokesman said: "Crews treated one female patient at the scene before she was airlifted to hospital.

"Two further patients were treated for minor injuries and taken to hospital by land ambulance."

Speaking to reporters Chief Inspector Julian Harper said: "They are believed known to each other so this was what we call a domestic-related situation.

"As such no other members of the public should be alarmed and should be reassured that we have what we believe is the only person involved in this incident."

He said if either the mother or the child dies it would become a murder investigation.

He praised the two men for "bravely [stepping] into what was a dangerous and volatile situation with complete disregard for their own safety".

Emergency services on the scene in the West Midlands town (Creative Commons)

A police cordon remains in place in the town centre with around half a dozen officers at the scene outside the Sutton Coldfield Baptist Church Centre where the stabbing occurred.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Additional reporting by PA