Wellesley Road Croydon stabbing victim named as Eliyanna Andam

The 15-year-old, who has been named locally as Eliyanna Andam, was found injured in Wellesley Road at 8.30am yesterday (September 27).

She was pronounced dead at the scene just after 9.20am.

Tributes left at scene of fatal Croydon stabbing (Image: PA Media)

• FULL STORY: Wellesley Road Croydon stabbing: Girl dies

A 17-year-old boy, who is believed to be known to Eliyanna, was arrested in New Addington.

He remains in police custody and will be questioned by detectives.

Eyewitnesses at the scene claimed an argument erupted on a bus between Eliyanna her friends and pupils from another local school, which then spilled over onto the pavement, as reported by The Telegraph.

Tributes left at scene of fatal Croydon stabbing (Image: PA Media)

Old Palace of John Whitgift School has since paid tribute and confirmed Eliyanna was a pupil at its school.

In a statement, it says: “We are deeply shocked by the senseless and tragic death of our much-loved and valued friend and pupil.

“It will take some time for the Old Palace community to come to terms with this terrible news, and we will offer support to our pupils as we try to do so.

Tributes left at scene of fatal stabbing in Croydon (Image: PA Media)

“Above all, we send our love and deepest sympathies to the girl’s family at this unimaginably distressing time.”

Flowers and cards have also been left near the scene where the attack took place.

One of the cards reads: “Sorry we live in this crazy world this makes no sense.

“Fly high up there my mummy will look after you. RIP beautiful, forever young, taken too soon.

“Thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends, God bless.”

A red double decker bus on route 60, three police vehicles and about a dozen officers, as well as a forensics tent, could be seen in the taped off area outside the Whitgift Centre.

A spokesperson for TfL told Your Local Guardian there has been no confirmation that the incident took place on a bus.

A woman described seeing a bus driver and another woman trying to save 15-year-old Eliyanna.

The mother-of-two, who only wanted to be known as Bridget, said she saw the two people trying to resuscitate the girl on the pavement.

She said: “I was on the bus before and came off and walked back down, I saw them resuscitating her.

“The driver was holding her and a lady.

“The emergency services were already here when I walked back.”

A man also described how he and others chased a boy after the girl was stabbed.

Victor Asare was on a bus on the way home from a night shift as a security worker when he said he saw a boy stab a girl in the neck with a knife which was “black, thin and about a foot long”.

The 50-year-old said: “It looked like the girl didn’t want the boy to come closer.”

He then described the boy stabbing the girl in the neck with a black knife.

“The blood was coming like water,” he added.

“A lot of people came, everyone came off the bus. [The boy] ran away. Everybody was crying and screaming. The girl was on the floor.

“We tried to catch him and a lot of people tried to save the girl. I was so shocked, I was shaken. It’s somebody’s daughter.

“I finished work but couldn’t sleep, so came back, I wanted to see if the girl was OK.”

Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain, in charge of local policing, said: “Our immediate thoughts are with this young girl’s family who are facing the most tragic of news. Our officers are with the girl’s family to support them.

“I am in contact with the local community, who are clearly as concerned as we are about this tragic incident. I shall continue to update them throughout the day.

“My officers were immediately on scene to provide first aid and support paramedics.

"Acting on information provided to them, officers also worked closely with colleagues from across the Met and the British Transport Police to track a teenager in connection with the stabbing. I can confirm that an arrest was made at about 09:45hrs in the Croydon area. At this early stage we believe that he may have known her.

“A crime scene will be in place for some time, and I am grateful for the cooperation of residents.”

The full statement from Metropolitan Police says: “Police were called at about 08:30hrs on Wednesday, 27 September to reports of a 15-year-old girl stabbed on Wellesley Road in Croydon.

“Officers, the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended. Despite their efforts, sadly she died at the scene at 09:21hrs.

“A crime scene is in place.

“Anyone who witnessed the attack or has information that can help officers is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference CAD 1601/27Sep. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”