PA MediaResidents in west London have said they stepped in to save the life of a man who was attacked and left with life-changing injuries in a triple stabbing on Monday.
Two men and a teenage boy were injured, including dogwalker Wayne Broadhurst, 49, who died at the scene.
The surviving man, a 45-year-old, was reportedly saved by his next door neighbours during the attack in Midhurst Gardens, Uxbridge, at about 17:00 GMT.
A 22-year-old Afghan national was Tasered and arrested at the scene. He is being held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, the Met Police said.
PA MediaThe attack is not being treated as terrorism, and detectives are working to establish any relationship between the suspect and the three victims, the Metropolitan Police said.
One resident said the saved man could have died had he not been protected by his neighbours.
Tahira Hassan, who lives in Midhurst Gardens, said the 14-year-old boy involved in the attack knocked on the door of her family home with blood on his shirt and asked for help.
She added that four or five residents from a house opposite emerged onto the street with baseball bats to protect the injured man.
“They were protecting him, so they saved his life. They did a very good job.
“Maybe he would have died if they didn’t protect him.”
PA MediaMrs Hassan said the attacker – whom she had never seen before – was “a tall slim person” who wore a black jacket and “held a knife in his hand”.
She said when the suspect spotted Mr Broadhurst he “straightaway attacked him… so many times”.
The residents Mrs Hassan said protected the man were approached for comment, but they did not wish to speak.
Police told to ‘please hurry’
Another woman who lives in Midhurst Gardens, who did not want to be named, said she saw the incident out of her window after hearing screaming.
She said her brother was on the phone to the police while the attack was happening, and they saw Mr Broadhurst come out of an alleyway into the street.
“He literally walked from the alleyway not knowing what he was about to walk into,” she said.
“As soon as he got in front of a house, the man with the knife sort of pushed him over, literally in front of our house, and then got on top of him.
“We were on the phone with the police at the time and also telling the police this is happening right now, like, you know, please hurry.
“Afterwards [the attacker] got up and then he ran down the street.”
Greener EalingOn Wednesday, Katarina Pohancenikova, managing director of Greener Ealing Ltd, confirmed that Mr Broadhurst, who was killed in the attack, was a bin man at Greener Ealing.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Wayne’s family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time,” she said.
“This is a devastating loss. Wayne was a well-respected and dedicated member of our team who made a real contribution to the work we do and to the residents we serve.
“We ask for the privacy of Wayne’s loved ones to be respected as they come to terms with this appalling news.”
PA MediaThe Home Office confirmed the suspect entered the UK in a lorry in November 2020, was granted asylum and leave to remain in 2022, and does not live in Home Office accommodation.
A Home Office spokesperson offered sympathies to those impacted by the “horrific incident” and are being updated by the Met as the investigation continues.
“The priority must now be for the police to investigate so those responsible can be brought to justice,” they added.
PA MediaOn Tuesday evening, about 100 people held a minute’s silence by the cordon surrounding the scene.
They applauded at the end and the group started to disperse shortly after.
A large group of men, women and children laid flowers at the junction between Midhurst Gardens and Leybourne Road, and some lit candles.
Ch Supt Jill Horsfall described the attack as a “shocking and senseless act of violence”
“Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time,” she said.
PA MediaShe added: “The incident will have understandably caused concern to the local community.
“I have deployed multiple officers to the local area, they will be here throughout the week to provide reassurance while detectives work intensely to piece together the circumstances.
“I understand that there has been a lot of speculation online following on from this incident. We ask that you rely on us for information, and that you do not share sensitive footage.”
Mr Broadhurst’s family is being supported by officers, the Met said.
Anyone who saw or has information about the incident are asked to contact police.
