Tufnell Park stabbing: Soldier fought ‘in vain’ to save victim

A former soldier told today how he fought to save a man who was attacked with a “large knife” on a London street.

The 25-year-old victim collapsed and died after being stabbed in the leg in Tufnell Park.

Paramedics were called to Corinne Road shortly before 9.30pm last night and battled to save the man but he died at the scene.

Witnesses reported seeing a group of men arguing with each other before the attack. One witness said a man had been brandishing a large knife.

Former soldier Brett Thompson, 63, said: “A guy in black was wrestling with the lad in the street. He pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the leg and it hit an artery. It was a very big knife.

“We tried desperately to save him by putting towels and T-shirts around the wound. But from my military medical training I knew it was no good.”

Poppy Marques, 17, said: “I saw the medics working on the man. They were giving him CPR and there was a crowd around him. They were working really hard to save him.”

A police cordon was set up around the crime scene. Scotland Yard said extra officers had been drafted into the area and detectives were recovering CCTV footage and collecting forensic evidence.

Police appealed for witnesses to come forward. There have been no arrests.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.