Hainault stabbing: 14-year-old boy dies after attack by 'man with sword'

A 14-year-old boy has died after an incident involving a man with a sword in east London on Tuesday morning (April 30).

Four other people are in hospital, including two police officers, who require surgery.

A 36-year-old man has been arrested following the incident near Hainault Tube station in east London.

Police were called at shortly before 7am to reports of a vehicle being driven into a house in the Thurlow Gardens area of people being stabbed. A man was tasered by officers.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: "This must have been a terrifying incident for those concerned.

"I know the wider community will be feeling shock and alarm. People will want to know what has happened and will we provide more information as soon as we can.”

Hainault Tube station remains closed as police investigate the incident. The Met said it does “not believe there is any ongoing threat to the wider community” and that it is not looking for any other suspects. It said the incident “does not appear to be terror related”.

London Fire Brigade’s assistant commissioner for cperational resilience and control, Pat Goulbourne, said: “Our thoughts are with all of those affected by this incident.

“Crews were immediately deployed to provide a rescue response and assist emergency service partners in treating casualties and securing the scene."

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A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 6.54am this morning (Tuesday) to reports of an incident near Hainault Underground Station.

“We sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, clinicians in response cars, advanced paramedics and London’s air ambulance.

“At this time we understand members of the public and two police officers had been attacked.

“Working together with our emergency services partners, we treated five people on the scene and took all five to hospital. All crews have now left the scene.”

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: "Officers were called to the area near Hainault underground station at 7.07am today to assist Metropolitan Police. Officers are currently in attendance. The station is closed and a cordon is in place."

Wes Streeting, Labour MP for Ilford North said a “critical incident has been declared” in the area.

In a statement on X earlier on Tuesday, he wrote: “A critical incident has been declared in Hainault. There are station and road closures in place. The Police, Ambulance Service and Fire Brigade are responding.

“One male detained. “I would urge people not to speculate until details are confirmed or post footage on social media.

“I am in contact with the Met Police, Mayor of London and Redbridge Council. I will keep local residents updated as and when I can.”