Young man stabbed to death outside Wetherspoons pub as punters try to save him

A hunt for a killer is underway after a young man was brutally stabbed to death outside a Wetherspoons on Sunday evening.

The 26-year-old victim was near The Kings Ford pub on Chingford Mount Road, East London when he was attacked at about 9pm. Horrified members of the public who witnessed the knife attack alerted police officers on patrol.

Pub staff reportedly tried to help the victim before paramedics and London's Air Ambulance treated the man. Sadly, he was pronounced dead at the scene and the suspect remains at large at the time of writing. His family are being supported by specialist officers from the Metropolitan Police.

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The force has now launched a murder investigation and is appealing for information that could lead to an arrest. Chingford Mount Road remains closed between Hall Lane and Albert Avenue whilst detectives and a forensics team continue their investigation.

Police say a cordon will be in place "for some time". One witness told the Metro: "There was panic and distress. There were people from the pub with a defibrillator trying to save the man.

"There was a crowd forming of people from the pub I guess and then the police and ambulances showed up. The people from the pub were heroes. They did their best."

Chief Superintendent Dan Card, who leads policing in the local area, said: "We are deeply saddened by the events that took place last night and our thoughts remain with the man’s family at this hugely difficult time. Detectives are working hard to establish the circumstances of what happened yesterday evening.

"We understand the impact this incident will have on the local community and officers are being deployed on reassurance patrols to help answer any questions or concerns."

The force added: ""The officers gave first aid on arrival but despite the best efforts of all the emergency services, the man sadly died at the scene. The man’s next-of-kin are aware and are being supported by specialist officers. No arrests have been made at this early stage and a crime scene and road closures will be in place for some time while officers investigate."

While a London Ambulance Service spokesperson confirmed: "We were called at 9.11pm on Sunday 6 July to reports of a stabbing on Chingford Mount Road, E4. We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, paramedics in fast response cars, an advanced paramedic and an incident response officer.

"We also dispatched a trauma team in a car from London’s Air Ambulance. Very sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a man was pronounced dead at the scene."

If you know anything that could help the investigation, please contact police by calling 101 stating CAD7174/6July. You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.