Witnesses have described how paramedics fought to save the life of a 17-year-old boy dragged out of a canal in west London with a fatal stab wound.
The teenager died despite emergency treatment on the towpath of the Grand Union Canal near Ladbroke Grove.
Homicide detectives are hunting for the killer who struck about 5.45pm on Sunday.
A section of the canal where the boy was found, just off Scrubs Lane, is behind a police cordon.
A canal boat owner, 33, who lives on the stretch of waterway, told the Standard on Tuesday: “I heard screaming and shouting and saw a boy being pulled out of the canal onto the towpath.
“There looked like people doing CPR, I thought he had just fallen in and would be okay.
“I had no idea it was a stabbing. The paramedics tried so hard to save his life, it’s such a tragedy.”
A police crime scene tent marks the spot on the towpath where the boy was treated. Medical equipment and blankets used by those trying to save him lay strewn nearby.
The stretch of canal had been busy with dog walkers and cyclists throughout the day with people enjoying the sunshine.
A dog walker who was on the towpath told the Standard: “It was horrific. It’s so peaceful here usually. There were so many police and the boy was dripping wet having been dragged out. But his body looked limp. It really was a terrible scene.”
Police have made no arrests and forensics officers and detectives have been piecing together the build-up to the killing.
Officers have been trawling though CCTV from the surrounding area and speaking to boat owners.
A police statement said: “Police were called to the Grand Union by Scrubs Lane following reports of a stabbing at 5.45pm on Sunday.
A 17-year-old boy was pulled from the water. Despite the efforts of paramedics he was pronounced dead at 6.10pm
“His next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination is scheduled to take place on Wednesday.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD5828/25June. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
