Maida Vale stabbing: Driver arrested after knifeman killed during deadly attack on woman

A driver has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man - who witnesses say had just stabbed a woman to death - was hit by a car and died.

Police were called to Chippenham Road, Maida Vale, at 9am this morning to reports of a stabbing.

Officers found a 43-year-old woman with stab injuries, and a 41-year-old man who had been struck by a vehicle.

Both the man and the woman died at the scene.

One witness claimed a car hit the attacker as he stabbed the woman to death.

Another have-a-go hero Raad Jiyad, 52, also tried to intervene when he heard the woman’s frantic screams.

He was at home near the scene in Chippenham Road, when he heard the woman calling out for help.

He rushed to try and distract the attacker and save the victim but it was too late, Mr Jiyad said.

The witness said: “I was at home when I heard someone crying for help. I saw him stab her four or five times in the chest.

“The woman was screaming, crying for help and was covered in blood.

“I tried to speak to her as she was bleeding and held her as she took her last breath. I have blood on my hand from it.

“People were asking her what her name was but she did not respond. I do not know her at all.”

Mr Jiyad said “someone arrived in a car who wanted to help her”, who allegedly hit the attacker with his vehicle “to get him to stop”.

Scotland Yard said enquiries are under way to establish the full circumstances, but at this early stage it is believed the two deceased were known to each other.

A 26-year-old man, the driver of the car, was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Det Ch Insp Jim Eastwood, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “This was a terrible incident that occurred in broad daylight on a busy London street.

“It also appears that a number of members of the public bravely tried to intervene to stop the attack.

“A man has been arrested in relation to the case - we are not aware of any links between this man and the two deceased.

“I can also confirm that we are not currently looking for anyone else in connection to this incident.

“A team of detectives are working to establish the circumstances of the incident and I would ask the public to avoid speculating on what may have happened while these initial enquiries take place.

“A number of people have already come forward, but we are still asking for anyone to make contact with us. Any information could be vital in helping us understand why this dreadful incident happened.”

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Please quote CAD 1496/24JAN

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.