Reading stabbings – Witnesses tell of knifeman ‘shouting’ and blood spurting from victims
AN eyewitness at the mass stabbing in Reading says the knifeman was shouting "unintelligible" words before the frenzied attack.
Another person said he saw blood spurting from victims as they fell to the ground in yesterday's attack.
Three people were killed while another three were left seriously injured.
A distressing video on social media showed people on the ground, surrounded by witnesses and officers in the Reading park yesterday.
Another person claimed the knifeman chased him and his friends after they had seen the multiple stabbing in the park.
A security source said the man who has been arrested is Libyan.
In footage posted online, officers were seen giving CPR to the victims who were covered in blood.
One person can be heard shouting: "He's still breathing", while another, presumably a medic, is asking for a defibrillator.
One lone person walked through, suddenly shouted some unintelligible words and went around a large group of around 10, trying to stab them.
Lawrence Wort, 20
One eyewitness, who said he was around 10 metres from the scene, said the attack looked "completely random".
Lawrence Wort, 20, a personal trainer from Chippenham, said: "So the park was pretty full.
"A lot of people sat around drinking with friends when one lone person walked through, suddenly shouted some unintelligible words and went around a large group of around 10, trying to stab them.
"He stabbed three of them, severely in the neck, and under the arms, and then turned and started running towards me, and we turned and started running.
"When he realised that he couldn't catch us, he tried to stab another group sat down, he got one person in the back of the neck and then when he realised everyone was starting to run, he ran out the park."
Another witness, Dan, 26, told he saw blood spurting and victims dropping "like a weight" as a man appeared to be "tapping them on the head".
What we know so far:
- Counter-terror cops take over probe, as police confirm it was a terror attack
- Three men confirmed to have been stabbed to death, with three others taken to hospital
- Witness told how he saw blood spurting from the victims
- A hero cop spotted the knifeman and 'rugby tackled' him to the ground
- The Libyan suspect was arrested on suspicion of murder and is in custody - he has previously been in jail for "violent" offences
- Around 20 armed counter-terror cops raided a block of flats thought to be linked to the suspect
- Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his thoughts were with the victims - he chaired a meeting this morning
He said: "I thought they were playing duck duck goose and thought someone had been sick, we realised it was blood spraying out."
Thames Valley Police said: "Police attended at around 7pm along with other emergency services.
"Officers arrested a man at the scene who is now in police custody.
"A number of people sustained injuries and were taken to hospital.
"A police cordon is in place in Forbury Gardens as officers investigate. We are asking the public to avoid the area at this time."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: "My thoughts are with all of those affected by the appalling incident in Reading and my thanks to the emergency services on the scene."
Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: "Deeply concerned to hear reports of an incident in Reading.
I thought someone had been sick, we realised it was blood spraying out.
Dan, 26
"My thoughts are with everyone involved, including police and emergency responders at the scene."
Cops have not revealed any details about the serious incident but they have said an investigation is underway.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police tweeted: "We are aware of reports of an incident in Forbury Gardens, Reading.
"Officers are on the scene and investigating the incident."
Yesterday a Black Lives Matter protest was held in the park with the Forbury Gardens bandstand used to deliver speeches.
BLM organisers said the violence was not connected to the protest.
Nieema Hassan said in a video message posted to Facebook: "They were very peaceful and we worked with the police liaison.
"In terms of the protest and the people who attended from Black Lives Matter, we're all safe. None of us are affected. We had all left by the time this happened."
Thames Valley Police said: "There is no indication that this incident is linked to the Black Lives Matter protest that took place in Reading."
Councillor Jason Brock, leader of Reading Council, tweeted: "Concerning reports from Reading town centre - please stay clear of the area as Police are dealing with a serious incident.
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"@ReadingCouncil are in touch with the emergency services and will support them as necessary."
An eyewitness tweeted: "Not looking good down here folks so best avoid round by The Forbury and let the emergency services do their thing. We are lucky to have them."