A MAN in his eighties was murdered and another woman injured in a knife attack in a sheltered accommodation flat in Southend.

The attack, in Burr Hill Chase, took place just before 2pm at Stephen McAdden House.

Police were called to the scene by paramedics after they reported a man and woman, both in their 80s, had been stabbed.

A 34-year-old man, who the Echo understands may have been the victim’s grandson, was arrested at the scene.

A spokesman for the police said: “Detectives in Southend have arrested a man on suspicion of murder.

“A man and woman in their 80s received knife wounds and sadly the man died at the scene.
“The woman was treated at the scene and taken to hospital by ambulance. Police are currently liaising with the family of the man who died.

“A 34 year old man, known to the victims, was arrested at the scene by officers and is in police custody.”

Several police cars and ambulances were on the scene within minutes, and blocked off the road at its junctions with both Victoria Avenue and Prittlewell Chase.

Echo:

The air ambulance landed in nearby Priory Park but was not used to take anyone away.

The female victim was taken to hospital by road ambulance, with injuries that are not thought to be life threatening.

A police cordon was still up around the flats and the neighbouring Seabrook College, formerly the Priory School, several hours later.

Southend Council said that no one at the college was involved in the incident.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: “We had one casualty and conveyed them to Southend Hospital – their injuries are not thought to be life threatening.”

 

Echo:

The air ambulance arrives

A police cordon is up blocking cars and pedestrians from entering the road.

A 62 year old man who lives in Stephen McAdden House and did not want to be named, described seeing four police cars, several ambulances and the helicopter land in priory Park.

He said: “Its sheltered accommodation for over 60s.

“The first I heard was a helicopter so I came out my flat and saw police and doctors at one of the flats.

“I asked what was going on and a policeman said ’it doesn’t look too good’.

“I walked down the stairs and there was blood down the stairs and a pool of blood  outside the main door which is cordoned off. I had to use a side door.”

Echo:

Stephen McAdden House