Girl stabbed to death on Croydon school bus after ‘rejecting flowers’

A girl was stabbed to death in south London as she and her friends walked to school.

Witnesses reported the 15-year-old was stabbed in the neck with a “foot-long” knife after she refused flowers from a boy, sparking chaos during the morning rush hour, with teenagers and commuters “screaming” in panic .

Police and paramedics were called at 8.30am to reports that a girl had suffered stab wounds on Wellesley Road, near Whitgift Shopping Centre.

A bus driver and a bystander initially fought for his life, while two other schoolgirls, believed to be the victim’s friends, tried to break through the police cordon.

Despite the best efforts of the London Ambulance Service and the Air Ambulance, she was pronounced dead at the scene at 9.21am.

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Following a tip-off to police, a 17-year-old boy was arrested in New Addington just over an hour later and remains in custody.

The Old Palace of John Whitgift School, a private girls’ school in Croydon, confirmed the victim was a “much loved and valued friend and pupil” and offered its condolences to her family.

Her family were informed by their daughter’s friends and were “devastated” by the news.

One witness described how he and others chased a boy, who was carrying a knife that was “black, thin and about a foot long”.

Security worker Victor Asare said: “It looked like the girl didn’t want the boy to come close.”

He then described a boy stabbing the girl in the neck with a black knife.

“A lot of people came, everyone got off the bus. (The boy) ran away. Everyone was crying and screaming. The girl was on the floor.

“We tried to catch him and many people tried to save the girl. I was so shocked, I was shaken. She’s someone’s daughter.”

A TfL bus was isolated by emergency services while resuscitation efforts continued for 40 minutes.

A mother-of-two, who only wanted to be known as Bridget, said: “I was on the bus before and I got off and got back off, I saw them resuscitating her. The driver was holding her and a lady.”

A statement from the Old Palace of John Whitgift School said: “We are deeply shocked by the senseless and tragic death of our much-loved and valued friend and pupil.

“It will take some time for the Old Palace community to come to terms with this terrible news and we will offer support to our pupils as we try to do so.

“Above all, we send our love and deepest sympathies to the girl’s family at this unimaginably painful time.”

A white tent was erected on the pavement as a number of police cars surrounded the Route 60 bus, which was heading for Streatham station.

About three police cars and a dozen officers remained, while a bouquet of flowers had been placed near the forensic tent.

James Watkins, from Mainz World, which runs prevention and intervention projects for children and young people, said he met the family at the scene between 9am and 10am and they were “devastated”.

He added: “I went down to support the family and some of the youngsters.

“I was with my family this morning. They were devastated and I would say more importantly in shock, I don’t think it feels real to them.”

Talking to Independent, Katia Brito, 22, said: “We arrived at the scene at 9.02am and the two buses had stopped. The tent was up and emergency services were trying to keep her alive. The children were running under the underpass.”

Describing it as a ‘hotspot’, community activist Daniyel Thomas said: ‘It’s a travesty. We need to galvanize the community.

“We need local patrols and community parents to police the streets, this is a hot spot.”

Chief Superintendent Brittain, who is responsible for local policing, said: “This is every parent’s worst nightmare and I know the officers who responded this morning, along with our colleagues from the emergency services, are devastated by the victim’s death.

“This is an emotion I share and I know the people of Croydon will feel the same.

“The victim’s family have been informed and our thoughts are with them at what must be an incredibly difficult time.”

Responding to the news, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “I am absolutely devastated by the death of a 15-year-old girl in Croydon this morning.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this young woman and the entire community at this unimaginably horrific time.

“An arrest has been made in relation to this incident and I am in close contact with the Met Commissioner.”

Croydon Mayor Jason Perry wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter): “Devastated to hear that the teenage girl who was stabbed in the town center this morning has tragically died. The council is liaising with the police and will fully support their enquiries. The thoughts of our entire community are with the victim’s family and friends.”

The schoolgirl is the 16th teenager to be killed in the capital this year, 13 of whom were stabbed.

Anyone who witnessed the attack or has information that can help officers is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 1601/27Sep. To remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

More on this breaking news to come