A 15-year-old girl died after being stabbed outside a takeaway on Friday.
The horror incident unfolded outside a pizza restaurant in Hexham, Northumberland, UK, where young Holly Newton was meeting her new boyfriend who fought to save her.
Holly's devastated mum revealed the 16-year-old boy tried to save her daughter after she was attacked and thanked him on social media.
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Holly and the unnamed 16-year-old boyfriend were reportedly attacked outside Pizza Pizza in the town of Hexham, Northumberland, just after school on Friday.
Both were taken to the hospital with stab wounds. Sadly, Holly passed away a few hours later.
Holly's mum Micala, 33, posted a thank you message to the boy on Facebook and said: "I can never thank him enough for trying to save my baby girl."
She revealed that "on the days leading up Holly was so excited about her new relationship".
It is reported the pair had staggered into the takeaway where stunned staff tried to help them.
One employee told The Sun : “You don’t expect this sort of thing in Hexham. I tried to help but unfortunately, I failed.”
A relative of Holly's boyfriend said the boy underwent an operation on Saturday and is now recovering in hospital.
"The most frightening thing is the number of young people who feel they have to carry knives," they told the newspaper.
Another 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder, attempted murder and possession. He cannot be named for legal reasons and is due to appear before magistrates in Newcastle on Monday.
Tributes have poured in for Holly since news of her devastating passing emerged.
On Saturday, Holly's family and friends turned up in droves to lay flowers at the scene of the attack.
A note left by her mother read: "To our baby Holly. Our hearts hurt so much right now. We love you so much. Love mam and Lee. See you soon beautiful."
In a GoFundMe for the family, a family friend wrote that she was a "beautiful 15-year-old that loved dancing and will be sadly missed."
More than £7,300 has been raised for Holly's family at the time of writing.
Holly's school, Hexham's Queen Elizabeth High School, said the year 10 pupil was a "truly lovely" student.
They said: "We are in shock after the terrible events of Friday evening and devastated at the loss of Holly, a truly lovely student who was quiet, conscientious, helpful and kind."
Northumbria Police said that all those involved are believed to have known each other.
"Both families continue to be supported by specially trained officers at this devastating time," they said. "The injured boy remains in hospital in a stable condition."
Guy Opperman, MP for Hexham, said he is "horrified that such a tragic incident" has taken place in the town.
He added: "My thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the families of those involved."
Hexham mayor Derek Kennedy said everyone in the town, which was named the happiest place to live in Great Britain last year in a study by Rightmove, had been "knocked everyone for six", following the incident.
On Sunday, he said: "The whole town is still coming to terms with this, it's been a massive shock.
"I was at Hexham Abbey where they've held a service for Holly, I lit a candle as did other people to pay tribute.
"A young girl who's just starting life and attending the local high school, starting her education and getting out there, it's just terrible, as a town we pay tribute to her.
"It's going to have a big impact on all the schoolchildren when they go back on Monday because one of their own won't be coming back ever again."
Holly, described as a "beautiful girl who loved to dance" and a "truly lovely student", was found injured in the market town shortly after 5.10pm on Friday and later died in hospital.
The suspect and the victim are believed to be known to each other.
In an update today, Northumberland Police said: "Holly still had so much left to look forward to in life, and this tragic incident has left her family devastated beyond words.
"Our thoughts are with both families involved and their loved ones as we continue to support them in every way we can.
"The investigation is ongoing, and we would like to thank the people of Hexham – and beyond – who have greatly assisted with our enquiries and shown their support."
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