Three days, two killings: The Greater Manchester…

Three days, two killings: The Greater Manchester communities rocked by deadly knife violence

Families and communities in Greater Manchester have been left reeling after two people were stabbed to death in two separate incidents less than 48 hours apart. On Wednesday night 21-year-old Salah Eldin Adam was killed in Old Trafford.

Police believe he was fatally wounded while 'helping his friend who was being attacked'. On Friday lunchtime a 44-year-old woman died following a reported stabbing in Droylsden, Tameside.

"It's terrible," one eyewitness to the Droylsden attack told the Manchester Evening News. "You can’t comprehend it.

"So sad. There was blood everywhere. I saw someone get taken away in the air ambulance."

Police say they were called to a house on Edge Lane just after noon on Friday. The woman, who has not been named, was pronounced dead around 45 minutes later.

No arrests have been made. Police initial enquiries 'suggest that the male suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction'. Tonight a police cordon remains in place with forensics investigators at the scene.

A forensic tent pictured at the scene of a fatal stabbing on Edge Lane (Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

Police have also been seen searching the area around the nearby Ashton Canal.

Chief Supt Phil Davies said: "Firstly, our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim. Our specialist family liaison officers are currently with the victim’s family to support them through what is an incredibly difficult time and we will do everything we can to ensure we locate the person responsible for this callous attack.

“At this stage in our enquiries, we are unable to confirm whether the offender was known to the victim and we are working with the victim’s family and members of the public to establish the circumstances of this incident. I understand this news will come as a great shock to those in the Droylsden community. In response, you will see an increased presence of our local officers, who will be patrolling the local community on-foot and in vehicles providing added reassurance to the community."

In an update on the Old Trafford murder investigation issued on Friday police said Mr Adam died as a result of serious injuries after being 'assaulted with knives'.

Detectives believe his friend was chased by two young men - one mixed race and the other black. Mr Adam 'went to assist his friend' who was being attacked in a garden, before he was attacked himself and then killed. The young men were believed to have been riding a black mountain bike and a yellow Beryl hire bike.

Police want to speak to five people were believed to be in the area at the time, who were all wearing dark clothing and are known to ride bikes. A 15-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murder and a 16-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Det Chief Insp Gina Brennand, of GMP's Major Incident Team, said: "I would like to pay tribute to the victim who did his best to save a friend in danger. I offer our sincerest condolences to his family who’ve experienced such devastating trauma on Wednesday evening. On behalf of Greater Manchester Police, our thoughts continue to remain with them at this time."

A murder investigation was launched after Salah Eldin Adam was stabbed to death on Kings Road in Old Trafford (Gary Oakley/Manchester Evening News)

On Thursday afternoon close friends of Mr Adam gathered at the scene to pay their respects. They were too upset to speak about the tragedy.

People were seen nearby hugging and comforting each other as they came to terms with the horrific news. People on the street however did speak of their shock.

"It is really sad," one neighbour told the Manchester Evening News. "It's normally quiet around here, we're a friendly neighbourhood."

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