Manhunt for knifeman after stabbing at Victoria station
A manhunt has been launched for a knifeman after a stabbing at London’s Victoria station during rush hour.
Police said a fight broke out between two men at the Tube station at around 5.25pm on Friday evening, which resulted in one of them being stabbed.
The man was rushed to hospital with injuries “not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening”, while the second man in his 40s or 50s with a brown beard fled the scene.
The incident sparked chaos, with paramedics and British Transport Police racing to the scene, while Underground passengers were funnelled down a single escalator as it was announced downward escalators would be closed for the rest of the day.
A white screen was erected near the foot of the escalators to obscure commuters’ views of the aftermath. The Telegraph saw red bandages and medical apparatus strewn across the floor, while a black suitcase lay discarded.
Commuters were herded on diversions around the closed passageway and at one point the flow was stopped altogether to allow police to conduct a search of the track.
Det Insp Ian Wright, of the British Transport Police, said: “There is no place for violence on the railway network and detectives are working at pace to investigate the incident.
“Passengers will see an increased uniformed presence at the station while they carry out their enquiries.”
A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called at 5.26pm on Friday 11 October to reports of an incident at Victoria Underground Station.
“We sent multiple resources to the scene, including a fast response car, an advanced paramedic and an incident response officer. We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.
“The first of our crews arrived in approximately three minutes.
“We treated one patient at the scene before taking them to a major trauma centre.”
A BTP spokesman said: “Detectives investigating a serious assault are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
“Officers were called to Victoria underground station at 5.26pm today [Oct 11] to reports of an altercation between two men. Paramedics also attended and one man was treated at the scene for an injury consistent with being stabbed.
“He has been taken to hospital and the injury is not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.
“The second man, who had left the area, was described as around 5’10”, white, in his 40s or 50s, with brown short hair and a brown beard.”
Anyone with information is urged to get in touch by texting 61016 or calling 0800 405040 quoting reference 509 of 11 October. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.