Teen fighting for life after Oldbury stabbing as cordon placed outside Wetherspoon pub - updates
A 19-year-old is fighting for his life after being stabbed during an altercation involving a group of teenagers in Oldbury on July 2. Police were called to Market Street at 12.15pm following reports of the incident near a Wetherspoon pub in the Black Country. The teenager has been rushed to hospital with injuries believed to be life-threatening.
Reform councillor for Langley Ward Tuli Zefi witnessed the incident while driving to Sandwell Council House. He said: "Today July 2 on my way to the Council House I witnessed something that no one should ever have to see. At first I thought a group of young lads were just messing around I wound my window down and shouted for them to pack it in. A group of them ran off and when I asked the remaining young man if he was okay he told me he thought he d been stabbed. I got out of my car saw the injury and did what I could to help until the ambulance arrived. I stayed with him tried to stop the bleeding and kept talking to him to reassure him."
Zefi later provided an update on social media, stating: "He's only 19 years old. As I write this he's undergoing surgery and my thoughts and prayers are with him his family and his friends. I truly hope he pulls through. It really made me think about how much things have changed. When I was growing up if people had an argument they might throw a few punches go home with a black eye and live to see another day. Today too many disagreements end with someone reaching for a knife. This has to stop."
A large police cordon remains in place with Church Street closed while officers investigate. West Midlands Police have appealed for information, urging anyone with details to call 101 quoting incident number 2404 of 2 July, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. A West Midlands Police statement confirmed: "We are in the very early stages of our investigation and officers remain on scene carrying out enquiries and speaking to people in the area."
Multiple bus routes have been diverted due to the road closures.