Man cried ‘it’s the end of my life’ after being fatally stabbed in market ‘machete’ attack

A man who was stabbed to death with an 18-inch blade in south London yesterday cried ‘it’s the end of my life’ as he lay on the floor.

One man died yesterday after a crazed attacker, thought to have mental health issues, went on a rampage at East Street Market, Walworth, in south London.

The attacker stabbed two others, a man and woman who are now recovering in hospital, before a hero stallholder was able to fight him off with a metal bar.

The fatally wounded victim reportedly cried ‘I’m gone, it’s the end of my life’ as he lay dying on the floor.

Police arrested a man believed to be in his 60s, who is currently in police custody.

Another stallholder who witnessed the shocking incident and treated the victim who eventually died, told The Sun: ‘There was a guy rampaging through the market with a huge knife attacking people at random.

‘The man stabbed one man in the stomach. There was blood everywhere.

‘A jam stall guy fought the attacker off with a metal bar. He saved lots of lives.’

Local resident Siraj, 46, who did not wish to give his surname, said he found two injured people lying on the ground in the market after following police cars and ambulances going past him.

‘It was terrifying,’ he said, adding that he felt lucky the victims were not him or his children.

The area had ‘always been safe,’ but he is now worried, Siraj continued.

‘I feel unsafe to send my kids to school now,’ he said.

One market worker said they were ‘scared’ to work in the area after the attack, telling MyLondon that ‘nothing like this has happened before.’

‘I think the market will be open next week, we’ll lose food because it’s closed,’ they said.

Meanwhile, shopper Israel Tortora said: ‘Everyone who visits the market regularly, including my partner and me, couldn’t believe what had happened. It’s a very busy market, especially on weekends.’

Commander Peter Stevens said: ‘Tragically, a man lost his life this morning, and officers are working hard to establish exactly what happened and to provide support to his family.

‘My thoughts and sincere sympathies are with them, and with the other people injured.

‘Our investigation is at a very early stage. One man was rapidly arrested by officers responding to the incident. At present, although enquiries are ongoing, nobody else is sought.

‘The incident is not being treated as terrorism. Enquiries continue, led by dedicated detectives from Specialist Crime.

‘I want to thank those people who have already shared their accounts of what they saw with police. I urge anyone with information or footage, or any witnesses yet to speak with police, to get in touch.’

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