Police are searching for the driver of a moped who dropped a teenager dying from stab wounds off on a street near a hospital in south London.
A murder investigation has been opened into the killing of the 18-year-old, who was the 16th teenager to have been murdered this year in the city.
The moped driver drove away shortly before 7pm on Wednesday after leaving the teenager on Denmark Road, Lambeth, near to King’s College hospital in Camberwell.
Members of the public administered first aid before emergency services arrived. He was taken to hospital and pronounced dead in the early hours of Thursday.
The arrival of the moped was witnessed by Abu Kamara, residents’ chairman of the Crawford estate, who said: “He just shouted three times ... ‘Help him, he has been stabbed’ and then he dropped him on the floor.”
He added that a woman in a nurse’s uniform stopped her car and attempted to resuscitate the young man.
“She parked her car and then went over to him. He was lying on the ground at that point. There was a lot of blood but there was an impressive response from local people and the police. A car with plainclothes officers arrived first and then the ambulance came.”
DCI Simon Harding said: “We are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. We need to trace the moped and also the person who brought the victim to the scene. It’s important we establish where the victim initially received his injuries.
“Anyone who saw the moped make off from the scene we equally need to hear from them.”
No arrests have been made and a postmortem is due to be held.
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said on Twitter: “I’m deeply saddened by the fatal stabbing of an 18-year-old in south London last night. Such senseless loss of life leaves families & communities devastated. @metpoliceuk investigations continue & I urge anyone with information to call 101 or contact @CrimestoppersUK anonymously.”
At least 53 fatal stabbings have taken place in London this year. The teenager’s death is the 82nd homicide recorded in London this year.
