Wigan 'double stabbing': Two women injured in attack

A young woman has suffered serious injuries in a double stabbing in Greater Manchester.

Emergency services were called to the incident on Atherton Road in Hindley, Wigan at about 10.30am on Saturday.

Two air ambulances landed in the road near the scene of the incident and took the two women involved in the attack to hospital after passers-by alerted the emergency services.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have confirmed that a woman, believed to be in her 20s, is receiving treatment for “serious injuries” at hospital, while another woman, of a similar age, has been discharged after suffering minor injuries.

Witnesses said there was a 'large police response' to the double stabbing, including armed officers.

One resident said: “My daughter was driving down the road in the car with my Dad when she saw a woman running down the road in her bare feet with a knife stuck in her neck. she collapsed in the street and lots of cars stopped to help her.

“There was another woman running behind her and we were told later that she also had some knife injuries. It was very frightening because this is a quiet neighbourhood.”

Local locksmith James Palmer, 32, who is also chairman of Hindley Green Crime Prevention website, added: “I understand that the more seriously injured woman was running toward the local Bethel Church , where both women are regular worshippers.

“The police were here very quickly including armed response units but we are relieved that they have now said it is not a terrorist incident. It is just a domestic situation which has turned nasty.”

The police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. No arrests have been made so far.

Photos circulating on social media showed a police cordon was is in place while emergency services worked at the scene.

Atherton Road was closed in both directions for around half a mile between the junctions of Leigh Road and Westleigh Lane.

A GMP spokesperson said: “Two women received serious injuries. This is not being treated as a terror related incident. Enquiries are ongoing. For updates please follow @gmpolice.”