A murder probe has been launched after a young man was knifed to death in broad daylight in east London.
The victim, believed to be in his mid-twenties, was stabbed repeatedly as he was attacked in Leyton on Wednesday.
Horrified witnesses told how police officers pleaded “can you hear me?” as they fought to keep him alive before paramedics arrived.
Emergency services were called to North Birkbeck Road, a short distance from Leyton Tube station, just before 4.30pm.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 5pm.
The killing is the 21st homicide in the capital this year. No arrests have been made.
Images show a forensics tent and a number of police vehicles in a residential street where the incident happened.
According to the Daily Mail, police officers were heard begging the victim to stay awake, shouting: “Talk to me. Can you hear me?”
A Met Police spokesman said: "Police are in the process of informing his next of kin.
"No arrests have been made. A crime scene remains in place. Enquiries continue.
"A post-mortem examination will take place in due course. Formal identification awaits."
London mayor Sadiq Khan said his “heart goes out” to the victim’s loved ones.
It comes after 17-year-old Jodie Chesney was knifed to death near a children's playground in Harold Hill, east London, last Friday, as she listened to music with friends.
Police chiefs warned on Wednesday that the scale of knife crime in the UK has become a national emergency.
Sara Thornton, the head of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said that senior officers had been given until Friday by the Government to set out what extra resources they needed to tackle the wave of stabbings.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid has insisted that he will not “hide” from the problem and vowed to do everything in his power to bring down the death toll.
Recent violence has prompted a wave of public concern at the number of young lives being lost.
The Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating and appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is urge to call police via 101 quoting CAD 5145/6 March or Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.
