A shop owner was forced to use tea towels to try and stop a teenager bleeding to death after the young man ran into his business screaming, according to harrowing reports.
The shop was full of customers when the teen ran in, bleeding and screaming for help, according to a friend of the owner, who tried desperately to stem the blood until paramedics arrived.
West Yorkshire Police have launched a murder investigation after two teens were stabbed in the back of a taxi while travelling through Leeds on Friday.
An 18-year-old, named locally as Jamie Meah, was rushed to hospital but later died. The second teen, aged 16, received serious injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.
The pair were riding in a taxi when a private vehicle brought the private hire car to a halt and three people leapt out to attack the two passengers, Leeds Live reports.
Mail Online reports that Jamie ran from the scene into a nearby a fish and chip shop, where he collapsed and was given CPR, but died from his injuries.
Dave Richmond, who lives very close to the crime scene, described how his friend, a local shop owner, was left traumatised after he got caught up in the bloody aftermath of the attack.
Dave said: “My mate owns a shop and the kid ran in screaming. The shop was full of people.
"He saw all the blood and saw that he’s been stabbed in his arm, stomach and leg. There were customers in the shop and they were all like ‘What’s going on?!’
“He got his tea towels to stem the flow of blood and tried to keep him talking. He said what felt like hours was only minutes until the paramedics turned up.
“They didn’t let him go until 8pm but he wanted to get back in to clean the shop up. There was blood everywhere, he said.
"He was traumatised. He couldn’t believe the amount of blood that was there.”
His wife Michelle said: “It’s scary and frightening. I used to leave my door unlocked but not anymore. I’ve got grandkids at that age!”
I’ve never heard of anything like that happening before. This is a bit too close to home. I’m appalled.”
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Lee Townley of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team said: "Extensive enquiries are being carried out in relation to this murder investigation, our thoughts remain with the victim who has lost his life as a result of a violent attack on the streets of Leeds.
"We are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident.
“What we do know is that the two males were in a taxi at the time when they were attacked by three suspects in another vehicle. I would appeal urgently to anyone who was in the area last night, who may have dashcam footage, or CCTV or mobile phone footage of anything suspicious to come forward."
DCI Townley added: “This incident will undoubtedly cause concern in the community and we are working with our colleagues in the Neighbourhood Policing team to step up patrols and provide extra reassurance.”
Cordons are currently in place in the area with crime scene investigators in attendance. Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 or use the live chat facility here , quoting log number 1331 of March 31.
Information can also be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
