A 22-year-old man has died after being stabbed following an alleged altercation on a London night bus, with police launching a murder investigation as they hunt for those responsible.
The fatal incident unfolded in the early hours of the morning in Hounslow, west London, after reports of a dispute involving passengers on the N9 Heathrow Airport bus. Investigators are still working to establish whether the victim was stabbed while on the bus or shortly after getting off.
A nearby resident, 29-year-old Kornelia Smok, said she was awakened by shouting at around 1.40am before looking out of her bedroom window. She claimed she saw three men in the street, with two running away while one allegedly shouted, “Run, run!”
According to the witness, the third man appeared to be bleeding heavily from his abdomen. She said he collapsed onto the pavement before briefly getting back on his feet, only to fall again moments later. A man believed to be a paramedic then arrived and immediately began performing chest compressions in an attempt to save his life.
Police were called to Bath Road at about 1.47am, where officers and paramedics found the victim suffering from stab wounds. Despite emergency treatment at the scene, he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
Another resident, Kiran Hair, said she saw a man who appeared injured dragging himself along a fence after the bus had stopped nearby. Her son, who was awake watching the FIFA World Cup, said police later examined the inside of the bus, adding to speculation that the attack may have begun onboard.
A large police cordon remained in place while forensic officers examined the scene. Yellow evidence markers traced the route the victim is believed to have taken before collapsing approximately 100 metres from the bus stop.
Detectives are now reviewing CCTV footage from the bus and surrounding area as part of their investigation. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Waller said officers are carrying out urgent enquiries to identify those involved and have increased neighbourhood patrols in the area. He urged anyone with information to come forward as police continue their search for the suspect or suspects.
