Croydon stabbings: Witnesses describe horror of victim dying on street during night of violence

One man was killed and another nine injured in four separate incidents in just two hours

Police forensics officers at the scene of a fatal stabbing at flats on Wisbeach Road, in Croydon, London. (PA)

Horrified witnesses have described how Good Samaritans used a towel to desperately try and save a young man’s life after he was repeatedly stabbed during a night of knife violence in London.

Passers-by used a towel as they attempted to stem the bleeding but the victim, in his 20s, died at the scene in Selhurst, Croydon.

The killing came amid a Friday evening of horror around the borough: nine other people were also injured in four separate stabbings in little more than two hours there.

Police say they are treating all the incidents, between 6.56pm and 9.12pm, as isolated. A murder investigation has been launched into the Wisbeach Road slaying, in which another man was also injured.

Samuel Henningham, a builder who lives in a nearby block of flats, described his daughter throwing a towel down to those trying to save the victim’s life.

The 69-year-old said: “I was inside my place and my daughter said 'something is going on downstairs,' so another guy rushed out to try and assist him.

"He was lying on the floor and he was bleeding. I think he'd been stabbed somewhere in the groin area.

"My daughter threw a towel down to the other guy so he could wrap it. He was still bleeding until the police arrived.”

Another person who had tried to help the victim but asked not to be named said: “I tried my best to help him. I work in a care home so when I heard someone had been stabbed, I went into the bathroom and picked up whatever swabs and stuff I had.

"I saw him lying there on the floor and by time I got there, the police arrived and started to dress his wounds.”

Two people have been arrested following the night of violence, the Metropolitan Police said on Saturday morning, although neither is in connection with the killing.

A Section 60 Order granting officers additional stop and search powers across Croydon has also been issued and remained in place until Saturday morning.

Gold Commander Ade Adelekan said: "While work continues to investigate the motivation and circumstances of these four incidents, I can say that they are being treated as isolated.

"However, that does not make this series of violent incidents any less shocking and I understand that residents in and around the areas where these incidents occurred will be rightly concerned."

He added: "Extra resources were deployed last night and will continue to be deployed over the weekend.

"Violence has no place on our streets and I want to reassure Londoners that our officers will work tirelessly to locate and apprehend those responsible."

Local Labour MP Steve Reed tweeted: “Absolutely horrific news that will devastate our community - thoughts with all those injured, and with the police and medical staff dealing with the situation.”