Killer on run after passenger stabbed to death in front of 14-year-old son on train in Surrey
Police launch manhunt after father killed in 'shocking and violent attack' on train from Guildford to London Waterloo
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A killer has gone on the run after stabbing a father to death in front of his 14-year-old son on a train in Surrey.
British Transport Police (BTP) have launched a manhunt following the “horrific” knife attack on a service between Guildford and London Waterloo.
The victim, believed to be a 51-year-old man, was stabbed repeatedly by an apparent stranger minutes after boarding the train.
Officers and paramedics were called to Horsley station at 1.15pm reports of a “serious incident” on board a train.
The victim was pronounced dead on the carriage.
Superintendent Paul Langley said: ”Traumatically, the victim’s son would have been nearby when his father was fatally wounded. This would have been an horrific and hugely traumatic event to have witnessed and we are providing him with as much support as possible.”
The victim and his killer, who are not thought to have known each other, both boarded the service at London Road at 1.01pm. The attacker fled the train at the next station, Clandon.
Officers flooded the area to hunt for the suspect, with police helicopters circling overheard, but no arrests have been made.
BTP said there had been multiple possible sightings of the killer, described as a black man in his twenties or thirties. Police said he was approximately 6ft tall, of slim build and bearded. He is thought to have been dressed all in black with white
Oliver Thompson, a 16-year-old who lives in Clandon, said he was stopped by police in the area at roughly 2.30pm and asked if he had seen a “man running from the station”.
He later saw police helicopters circling the area before being joined by “a police van with high-powered lights” as conditions darkened.
“It comes as a big surprise as Clandon is a quiet area that you wouldn’t associate with crime like this,” he added. “It is definitely unnerving to think there is a murderer maybe somewhere in the village.”
Matt Phelps, 35, who works at a business on Epsom Road in West Clandon, said police officers told him the suspect was “not dressed for the weather” in a t-shirt, tracksuit bottoms and strikingly bright white trainers.
He added: “There were also three helicopters circling overhead when we locked up and went home.
“It was a bit alarming when someone I worked with put two and two together and we realised who the police were looking for.
“You sometimes see the police helicopter going over or cars going past with sirens on but to think there was someone like that potentially hiding around the corner somewhere certainly made us want to pack up and go home quicker than usual.”
Detective Superintendent Gary Richardson, of BTP, said: “This was a shocking and violent attack which took place onboard a train in broad daylight. Officers from BTP are with the family and have deployed a specially trained family liaison officer to support them through this difficult time.
“We know that this was an incredibly frightening incident for passengers travelling on the train.
“We believe that the suspect and victim boarded the train at London Road at 1.01pm and we would encourage who was on this train to come forward regardless of whether or not they think they can help our investigation. We believe the suspect departed the train at Clandon station.”
He added: “Passengers and members of the public can expect to see an increased presence by BTP and Surrey Police officers at Horsley and Clandon as our enquiries continue.
“We would advise anyone in the local area who sees anyone they think maybe the suspect to contact 999 immediately.”
The attack is not believed to be terror-related, police said.
The stabbing took place on South West Railway’s (SWR) 12.58pm service between Guildford and London Waterloo. A witness told the BBC there had been a “vicious fight” beforehand.
A passenger on the train praised staff for their “incredible” response. Natalie Jones tweeted: “I was on this train, how those guards and especially that train driver went into action was nothing short of incredible. Not sure if it’s appropriate to say thank you, but I do hope everyone is ok after today’s event.”
Transport secretary Chris Grayling said: “The incident near Horsley is tragic, and our deepest sympathies are with the victim and their family. I urge anyone who witnessed what happened to contact BTP and Surrey Police.”
Rail lines between Guilford and Effingham Junction closed while police dealt with the stabbing. Services were cancelled or diverted and SWR operated replacement buses. All lines have since reopened but disruption was expected to continue until 11pm.
Anyone with information on the stabbing can contact BTP by sending texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 210 of 04/01/19. Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.