A “true gentleman” has been stabbed to death in north London.
A murder investigation is under way after a man named locally as bus driver Derek Thomas was killed at around 11pm on Tuesday while on his way home from work.
One of Mr Thomas’ colleagues described him on X as “a true gentleman at work and always smiling”.
In a tribute he wrote: “Our garage is in mourning now. My condolences to his family.”
Police were called to Northwold Road on the junction with Stoke Newington Common at 11pm on Tuesday.
Distressing footage posted to social media shows officers and medics applying CPR to a victim on the pavement behind a cordon.
Despite their best efforts Mr Thomas, believed to be in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
His next of kin have been informed, Scotland Yard said. A post mortem examination will be scheduled in due course.
There has been no arrest and enquiries into the circumstances continue.
Paying tribute to Mr Thomas, Tom Joyner, Managing Director for Go-London, spoke of his “great sadness”.
“The entire team at Go-Ahead London is saddened by this incident and the tragic loss of one of their colleagues, and our thoughts are with the family of the colleague who has lost their life,” he said.
“We will ensure our teams and the family of our colleague receive any support required from Go-Ahead London during this difficult time. We are assisting the Police with their investigation into the incident.”
Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: “I understand the shock and concern this incident will cause, even more so given the recent and tragic murder of Pharrell Garcia on the borough last week.
“However, I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working diligently to identify whoever is responsible for this violent act.
“Our most immediate thoughts are clearly with the family and friends of the man killed last night.
“Whilst these two dreadful murders happened in the same area of Hackney there is no suggestion of a link between the two. A person has been charged with Pharrell’s murder and they are awaiting trial.
“Nevertheless, they do highlight the continued danger presented to the public by people who arm themselves with knives. We have additional resources focused on deterring such a threat and we are working hard with our local partners to reduce knife crime.
“If you have information that could assist the investigation then please get in touch with us.”
On Wednesday morning, a police vehicle was seen guarding a forensic tent. Two London buses were trapped at the scene as Transport for London diverted five routes.
Local councillor Alastair Binnie-Lubbock wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Very sad to learn that within a week of a child being murdered in my ward Hackney Downs, another person has been stabbed to death, this time on Stoke Newington Common.
“My thoughts are with the victim, their family and I hope the police can bring the culprit to justice.”
Mr Binnie-Lubbock was referring to the fatal stabbing of 15-year-old schoolboy Pharrell Garcia who collapsed half a mile away on Stellman Close, Hackney shortly after 4pm last week Tuesday.
He died at the scene and his family continue to be supported by specialist officers, the Metropolitan Police said.
Another teenage boy aged 15, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested by officers and later charged with murder.
At a preliminary Old Bailey hearing before Judge Alexia Durran yesterday, it was alleged that the defendant planned the killing and had an issue with Pharrell.
Prosecutors claim the youth disguised himself in dark clothing, wore a balaclava with his hood up and was armed with a multi-tool bladed weapon.
He had allegedly sought out the victim in the park and asked to speak to him out of sight of others, the court was told.
Judge Durran set a plea hearing for October 11 and a provisional trial from April 7 next year.
The defendant, who spoke only to confirm his identity by video-link from Vinney Green Secure Unit, was remanded into youth detention.
On July 11, a third male - 19-year-old Ahmed Habib - died in neighbouring Islington borough.
Mr Habib was one of two men found with stab wounds in a car on Stroud Green Road at the junction of Tollington Park.
Kevin Peraj, 23, of Kentish Town, will appear at the Old Bailey charged with Mr Habib’s murder in Finsbury Park on July 22.
In response to last night’s incident, London Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 11.04pm on Tuesday, July 30 to reports of a stabbing on Northwold Road, Hackney.
“We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an advanced paramedic, an incident response officer and members of our tactical response unit.
We also dispatched a trauma team from London’s Air Ambulance, which consisted of a doctor and a paramedic in a car.
“Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a man was pronounced dead at the scene.”
