A 16-year-old has been stabbed to death following an ‘ambush’ in Clerkenwell

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A 16-year-old schoolboy was attacked by a gang wearing balaclavas on rental bikes who surrounded him before stabbing him, according to witnesses.

Police were called to reports of a stabbing in Seward Street, Clerkenwell at around 10.30pm on Tuesday.

Officers were joined by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and found two men, both aged 16, with stab wounds. Despite the efforts of emergency services, one teenager died at the scene.

Kadra Hussain, a 40-year-old mother of six, said on Wednesday: “My friend saw the boy and he was about to cross the road. Then five guys, most on rental bikes, some running, attacked him.

“The attackers were wearing hoods and face coverings. The victim was also wearing a hood. He was lying on the road and two people ran to help him with his injuries and the attackers scattered.

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“A boy was next to the victim crying ‘he’s my friend he’s my friend’ he was sobbing. Then the police and paramedics turned up and I saw them working on him, it’s so sad.

She said she feared for her 16-year-old son’s life.

“I even worry when he goes to the local Tesco. I pray he comes back alive.”

A witness spoke of her horror after hearing the boy repeatedly scream “I’ve been stabbed” as he was surrounded and attacked.

The mother said: “There was a boy who was shouting, ‘I’ve been stabbed’ over and over. It made our blood run cold. A group of boys attacked him, some on bicycles. The paramedics worked on him for at least 20 minutes, but we knew from his cries that it was very serious. I couldn’t sleep, this poor boy.

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Detectives were looking for clues Wednesday as forensics officers combed the crime scene.

A tent marked the spot where the victim collapsed after being attacked by his attackers.

A local resident, whose apartment overlooks the scene, spoke of her horror at the events that unfolded outside her home.

The mother-of-one said: “I had to explain to my daughter why there was police tape outside and why there were blue lights flashing outside for most of the night. People don’t have to live with this. One more day, one more sacrifice, not enough.

Councilor Phil Graham for Bunhill said: “This is devastating for all of us because we know the area. It doesn’t help that the police force is cut, we only have three neighborhood police officers for the department. Heartfelt condolences to the family. Makes you wonder if your kids are coming home.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “No arrests have been made. The crime scene has been established. An investigation is underway.”