14 Aug 2011

Six dead after Jersey knife attack

Six people are dead after a knife attack on the island of Jersey. Two young children were among the victims.

Officers were called to a flat at Victoria Crescent, Upper Midvale Road, St Helier, just after 3pm amid reports of a multiple stabbing

Six people, including two young children, have died following a knife attack on Jersey, police said.

Officers were called to a flat at Victoria Crescent, Upper Midvale Road, St Helier, just after 3pm amid reports of a multiple stabbing.

States of Jersey Police initially said five people were dead but they later confirmed that a sixth person – a woman left critically ill in Jersey Hospital – later also died.

The victims are two women, two men and two young children.

They are believed to be Jersey residents but their identities have not been disclosed.

A 30-year-old man is under arrest at the same hospital, where he is also recovering from surgery, police said in a statement.

A major incident room has been set up at police headquarters in St Helier and officers are working to identify the victims with the help of witnesses who have come forward.

I saw police come running out with a child, it was a small child, I just saw the legs. Andre Thorpe

Head of crime services Stewart Gull, who is leading the inquiry, said: “Clearly this complex investigation is in its very early stages as we try to establish exactly what happened.

“We are appealing to anyone who may have any information to contact us.

Eyewitness Andre Thorpe said he arrived in Victoria Crescent in St Helier at about 3pm this afternoon.

He said: “For Jersey it was a major incident. Two ambulances turned up first because it was within a quarter of mile of the ambulance station.

“Then four or five police vehicles came, all blues and twos. They were trying to access a private house in the crescent. It was an old Victorian terrace, a lot of them are split into flats.

“I saw police come running out with a child, it was a small child, I just saw the legs. They went off in an ambulance.

“When the paramedic came back her shirt was covered in blood. We have quick response ambulance cars and two pulled up grabbed a kit and ran inside.”