An eyewitness has described the moment he saw a man with something 'impaled' in his chest, 'pouring with blood' in the street close to the scene of a stabbing in Salford.
Whilst a commuter says officers were searching trams as they hunted the culprit.
A 34-year-old man was stabbed inside a tower block in Ordsall, Salford early this morning (Monday) . He was taken to hospital with serious injuries following the 'horrific attack' at Nine Acre Court on Taylorson Street.
Detectives say their initial enquiries suggest the culprit made off from the scene and travelled into the city centre by tram. A 26-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in the New Islington area of the city centre.
READ MORE: Man, 26, arrested for 'attempted murder' after 34-year-old stabbed in Salford
A man who works in Ordsall and who was in the area at the time of the stabbing has now told the Manchester Evening News he saw a man covered in blood with something 'sticking out' of his upper torso.
"It was about 8:35am" the eyewitness, who did not want to be named, said. "I could hear raised voices and shouting. So I came out and I saw a guy standing on the corner, with a black bubble coat on, shouting to someone.
"He said he didn't have any clothes on under the coat and he didn't as far as I could see. At one point he opened his coat and showed them.
"Then a bald guy in a t-shirt and shorts, full of blood, appeared. He had what looked like something impaled in his chest. Something was sticking out. I am guessing it was a knife but I can't be sure.
"He followed the other guy down the street for a little bit but then turned back. There was an older guy behind him on the phone and he was asking him for a cigarette, saying 'I need a cig.'
"He looked quite badly injured. He had blood all down his front. He was walking okay but he had lost a lot of blood. It wasn't long after that that all the police arrived and they cordoned everything off. "
"It was just a massive shock," the man said. "Not your usual Monday morning.."
Residents living in Nine Acre Court, nestled in a residential estate off Orsdall Lane, close to Ordsall Hall, described seeing a large amount of blood on one of the floors and in one of the lifts with one describing it as looking like a ''bloodbath.'
One nearby resident said he saw two ambulances outside his home at around 8:45am before the arrival of the police. ”It’s a big shock,” he said. “You get the odd thing round here but never normally anything this big.
"It makes you feel nervous” he added. “I feel scared to go out. My grandkids normally play out there so something like this is really worrying.”
A commuter said she was on a tram this morning and that when it stopped at Salford Quays a man 'with just a jacket on and no pants or top on underneath', who appeared to be intoxicated and was 'covered in blood' got on.
She said she got off at Deansgate where officers said they were 'looking for a male in a black coat' and were searching trams. She said as she left the tram she alerted officers to him.
Police confirmed they did carry out searches on trams following the initial reports of the incident leading to the arrest of the man in New Islington.
A large police cordon remained in place around the block on Monday evening with forensic crime scene investigation officers in white suits carrying out enquiries inside.
A large number of yellow evidence markers had been placed at points around the cordon including some next to what appeared to be blood splatters on the pavement
Residents were allowed to enter and exit the block by giving their details but were unable to move their cars from the car park.
An order known as a Section 60 which gives officers extended powers to stop and search people in the vicinity of a crime was introduced in the aftermath of the stabbing covering the area bounded by the A56 Chester Road, Trafford Road and Regent Road.
A young man who lives nearby said he was stopped and searched by officers. He said he left his house around 7:30am this morning and that at around 9am his mum rang him asking about what happened.
"She was worrying it might be me," he said. He said he returned home later this afternoon he was 'grabbed' by officers and subjected to a search.
"It's really bad but it's what it's like around here at the minute," he said. "There have been so many stabbings recently, what's that the fifth in two weeks? It's getting really bad."
Another said: "I'm shocked but not surprised. I've lived over 50 years and it's definitely getting worse. "
Detective Inspector Chris Horsfield of GMP’s Salford division said: “Our officers have arrested an individual on suspicion of attempted murder, and we are confident that this is a targeted attack and there is no wider risk to the community.
“I would urge members of the public that saw anything suspicious around 8:30am this morning around Taylorson Street or the Ordsall area of Salford, or witnessed the incident, to please come forward and report this information to us immediately.
“Your information no matter how small it may seem could be a huge help in our investigations going forward and will help us secure justice for the victim of this horrific attack.
"We are also appealing for any witnesses to come forward and contact us on 101 or 0161 856 5049 quoting log 612 13/2/23 or on our website using our reporting tool www.gmp.police.uk
“We have also introduced a Section 60 within the local area to ensure enhanced stop and search powers are in force to provide extra reassurance to the local community.
“We will also be increasing our patrols across the Ordsall area and there will be an enhanced patrol plan in place throughout the coming days to provide reassurance to the local community.
“If you have any concerns about crime within your area, we urge that you speak to our officers who will be patrolling around the local area or talk to GMP online via our Live Chat to discuss your concerns.
"Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
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