Hayes stabbing: Cyclist tells of desperate battle to save man killed in tennis court knife attack

Stab victim: Harjit Singh Dulai died in hospital after the attacl
Met Police
Matt Watts29 January 2016
WEST END FINAL

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A cyclist today told how he tried in vain to save a man stabbed to death in tennis courts in a west London park.

Harjit Singh Dulai, 44, from Uxbridge, was stabbed in the chest in an incident with a group of people in Rosedale Park, off Albion Road, Hayes at about 6.40pm on Wednesday.

Murder police believe Mr Dulai was knifed by a group he had arranged to meet near the popular park’s bowling green.

A local businessman, who was cycling through the park with his dog, today told how a female friend of Mr Dulai came running from an alleyway to ask him for help.

The man in his 30s said: “It must have been just after the stabbing. She was hysterical.

“She was asking where the ambulance was and was on the phone to the emergency services. She asked for help.

“She told me to come with her and I went up the alleyway and the victim was on the ground. His friend had his hands on his chest to try and stop the flow of the blood.

“The man on the ground had lost a lot of blood. He was groaning and seemed to be going in and out of consciousness. His friend just said “help, my friend's been stabbed.”

“He said it was some guys from some flats nearby so I’m sure they must have known who they were.

“His friends didn’t know where they were so I directed the ambulance around and cycled to meet it to guide the paramedics in. The ambulance couldn’t get into one of the entrances because it’s locked at night, so that delayed the help getting to him.

“As soon as the ambulance arrived they got him on a stretcher and into the ambulance.

“We all did what we could to help him. His friends were really shaken up. It’s just a tragedy the guy didn’t make it. It’s really shocking.

“It’s a quiet area around here and there’s never any trouble in that park.”

Mr Singh was taken to hospital but died at about 8.30pm.

Five men aged 20, 39, 19, 28 and about 40 have been arrested in connection with the incident. One was arrested at the scene, three others were arrested that evening and a fifth man arrested yesterday. The victim’s next of kin have been informed.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, said: “At this early stage we understand the victim had attended the venue to meet a person, or persons. We need to establish what happened next.

“Although arrests have been made I would appeal for any witnesses who saw this attack, or the events surrounding the attack, to come forward and speak to police.

“I would also urge anyone who has information that could assist this investigation to contact my officers.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8785 8099, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.

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