Emergency services have rushed to the scene of a knife attack as fears a UK town has been rocked by a brutal gang war have surged following the shocking A66 wrong-way crash
Armed police have reportedly surrounded a house near Middlesbrough this afternoon after reports of a stabbing.
The incident unfolded near the scene of a fatal house fire and just a couple of miles from the A66 where seven people, including two police officers, died in a crash.
Cleveland Police said: “A 39-year-old man is receiving treatment following an assault involving a bladed weapon in an address on Sedgemoor Road in Eston around midday today. No arrests have been made at this time, however, enquiries are ongoing into the incident.”
Police are yet to confirm any further details about the incident. An air ambulance was called to the scene during the incident and airlifted an injured teen to hospital.
A neighbour described what they saw during the incident. The witness said: “He was running around the estate trying to get help and had what seemed to be really severe wounds to his arm and hand.
“It’s terrifying that all the kids are tooled up with knives and machetes now, which is why the armed police had to turn out. It seems like the whole town has gone crazy.”
The development comes after two people were arrested on suspicion of murder after police were called to a house fire at 5:23am in the morning of Wednesday 26th August, in the Grangetown area of Middlesbrough. Natalie McDonald, 34, and her seven-year-old niece, Valentina Foster, died following the blaze.
Cleveland Police have stated they have not ruled out a link between the blaze at the end-of-terrace property near Middlesbrough, and the A66 crash on Saturday morning.
The fatal fire comes after twelve people aged between 19 and 61, have been arrested by officers investigating the events leading up to the crash on the A66. Josh Kirton, the devastated brother of 34-year-old Natalie McDonald, has stated: “My sister was not involved with anything to do with gangs, or the (crash on the) A66.
“That’s what makes this so senseless. People think they can do whatever they like.
“There’s some terrible people in the world and now my sister and Valentina have gone.”
Today tributes were left outside the house, including a photo of the pair among bouquets of flowers and toys, with the words: “RIP Natalie and Valentina you will be missed.”
A Care Bear was left, along with a teddy bear and a note which read: “Now she dances with butterflies Valentina.”