A schoolboy who was stabbed to death in south-east London said “I’m 15, don’t let me die” as he lay bleeding, a witness has revealed.
The 43-year-old woman told the PA news agency that she tried to save the teenager as he lay wounded in the road outside her flat.
Police were called at around 6.30pm on Sunday to reports of a disturbance on Eglinton Road, Woolwich.
The boy was found at the scene with a stab injury and he died a short time later.
She said that she grabbed a sheet and ran outside without shoes and socks, finding the boy face down on the floor.
The boy had a gash on his head and a “massive pool of blood” by his leg, the witness said.
She said that she stemmed the flow of blood until paramedics arrived.
The witness went on: “I asked if I could go and shower because I was covered in his blood, and they said ‘yes’ so I went in and showered.
“I come back out and they (the police) called me over because I was the last one with him – he was going to me ‘I’m 15, I’m 15, don’t let me die’ and I said to him ‘you’re not going to die, mate’.”
She said the victim was “the most polite boy” when she had encountered him around their neighbourhood.
A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan said: “The mayor’s thoughts are with the family and friends of the teenage boy who has been killed in Woolwich, as well as the wider community.
“This heart-breaking violence has no place in our streets.
“The mayor is in close contact with police leaders and there will be increased patrols in the local area.”
The boy’s next of kin have been informed.
No arrests have been made and a crime scene is in place.
Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference CAD 5989/22Sep.
