A teenager who was stabbed to death begged bystanders for help before collapsing outside a pizza restaurant.
Police were called to reports of an attack in East London and on arrival found a man "in his late teens" suffering from stab injuries.
Emergency services gave first aid but the young man, later identified as 18-year-old local boy Ghulam Sadiq. was pronounced dead at the scene, reports MyLondon.
According to a worker in Milano Pizza on Leytonstone High Road, a group of bystanders crowded around the teenager, who was "bleeding from the injury and from the mouth" and tried to save him.
Abdullah, who works at the pizza restaurant, ran to grab some clothes to put pressure on the wound.
He told MyLondon: "I had just come back to the shop and he went to next door and said 'help me' and fell to the ground. He was bleeding really badly.
"I was told by a guy he was stabbed. He was bleeding from the injury and from the mouth. There was a large crowd of people who tried to save him as he was bleeding a lot."
He added: "I ran to another a shop to get him some clothes to stop the bleeding but we couldn't. By the time the police came he was already dead I think. They tried for about 10 minutes...there was blood everywhere."
Detective Chief Inspector Linda Bradley, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Our heartfelt thoughts are with Ghulam’s family as they come to terms with this terrible tragedy, which no family should have to endure. He was attacked in broad daylight on the busy High Road on a summer Saturday afternoon.
"I know this will shock and appal the local community and I want to assure them we will do all we can to identify and bring to justice those responsible.”
Chief Insp Bradley added: “The area is likely to have been busy at the time of the incident. I would appeal to anyone who saw anything at all of note to come forward and speak to us. We want to hear from you. No piece of information is too insignificant.
“I would also like to thank the local businesses and residents impacted by the road closures around the crime scene for their patience and cooperation while we carry out this vital initial phase of our investigation. We will work as thoroughly and efficiently as we can.”
A spokesperson for the Met Police said: "Police were called at about 2.15pm on Saturday, 6 August to reports of an assault on High Road, E11. Officers and the London Ambulance attended, and found a man – believed to be in his late teens – suffering from stab injuries."
Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101, with the reference 3896/06AUG. Alternatively, you can visit the Major Incident Public Reporting Site and look for Operation Waspgreen to provide information, images or footage.
