A murder investigation is underway after a university student was stabbed to death in south Manchester, police have confirmed. Earlier, the Manchester Evening News reported it was understood that a man found 'seriously injured' on Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield, had died.
Murder squad detectives are probing the death, it has now been confirmed. The man - aged 19 - was given CPR by cops who were flagged down in the early hours of Wednesday morning (October 26). Police have confirmed he was a university student.
The victim is believed to have suffered stab wounds. Officers are working 'to find the person responsible'.
The Manchester Evening News understands that the student was on his way home from a party when police believe he came across his alleged attacker. The two did not know each other.
Officers are believed to have found a knife at the scene and are now checking CCTV in the area in the search for a single man. The victim's parents, who live in the South of England, have been informed, the MEN understands.
A huge cordon remains in place on the busy main road as forensic officers comb the scene for evidence. The road was taped off near the row of shops and takeaways outside student halls at Owens Park.
Parts of Cawdor Road, Furness Road and Landcross Road were also cordoned off. Two forensic tents were in place within the cordon.
In an earlier statement, a GMP spokesperson said: "Detectives appeal for information after man is seriously injured on Wilmslow Road. At around 2am today, officers out on patrol were flagged down to an incident on Wilmslow Road in Manchester.
"Officers attended and established that one man had been seriously injured. They commenced CPR at the scene. An investigation is underway."
Detective Superintendent Neil Jones of Greater Manchester Police South Manchester Division said: "This was a terrible crime which has robbed a young man of his life and my thoughts are with his family at this devastating time. I understand it will cause distress and concern to many in Fallowfield and across Manchester more widely, including our large student community.
"The investigation is in its early stages, but I can assure you that our officers are working round the clock and carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident. We are actively pursuing leads and will relentlessly pursue the offender to ensure they are brought to justice.
"There will be more officers out on the streets in Fallowfield and the surrounding area over the coming days conducting high visibility and plain clothes patrols to gather intelligence and reassure the community. Greater Manchester Police operates a Student Safe Operation with our partners on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights where our officers patrol the student areas at night, and these efforts will ramp up and be given extra resources.
"I hope this goes someway to reassure the community and if anyone has any information about this incident or has any concerns, I urge you to speak to these officers. They are there to help and support you."
A statement from a University of Manchester spokesperson earlier on Wednesday morning read: "A serious incident in the early hours of this morning occurred opposite Owens Park on A6101 Wilmslow Road with Greater Manchester Police and other emergency services attending. The road remains closed between Moseley Road and Langley Road, with a police cordon and diversions in place.
"Bus services have been diverted around from the route, and people are being urged by Greater Manchester Police to avoid the area. Buses will instead use Dickenson Road, Birchfields Road, and Moseley Road in both directions. We will update with further information in due course."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via gmp.police.uk or 101 quoting, 240 26/10/22. Information can be shared anonymously via the independent charity - Crimestoppers - on 0800 555 111.
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