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A young male teenager was fatally wounded by a stabbing incident moments before midnight in the midst of a large crowd of revelers in London’s city center during New Year’s Eve festivities.
At 11:30pm, Harry Pitman, aged 16, suffered a fatal injury on the well-known Primrose Hill. This location is known for attracting crowds every year to view the fireworks in central London.
An inquiry into a homicide, known as Operation Booknote, has been initiated following the teenager’s declaration of death at the location just before midnight.
Party-goers ran away in fear when the boy fell to the ground at the peak of the hill.
Footage captured at the location depicts law enforcement vehicles maneuvering through groups of celebrants, including some individuals carrying young children on their shoulders, in an effort to reach the young boy who had been fatally injured.
The police provided initial medical treatment to the adolescent until paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance arrived.
A representative from Scotland Yard stated that the family of the boy has been notified of his passing and is receiving assistance from trained officers. A relative informed The Independent that the boy’s mother is deeply upset.
The Metropolitan Police is asking for people who may have witnessed the event, as they have noticed that the popular area of central London was crowded with individuals celebrating the start of the new year.
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The young person passed away at Primrose Hill in Camden, where a group had assembled to view the New Year’s Eve fireworks in London.
A witness recounted to The Independent: “It all unfolded in a matter of minutes, it was over in five minutes or less. It was a terrible sight. I witnessed someone fall to the ground just five meters away.”
The individuals nearby began to yell and flee. We were standing near the law enforcement officers, who quickly went to his aid and instructed everyone to keep a distance.
The person who was harmed was declared deceased at the location just before 12:00 AM.
They stated: “My heart goes out to the family and I wish for them to find peace once this is resolved.”
Solomon Raja, a 23-year-old partygoer, reported seeing a sizable white tent situated at the peak of the hill.
He stated, “I was among thousands of others at the time. It wasn’t until after the fireworks display ended and we were heading back that we noticed the police had blocked off a significant area behind where we had been watching the fireworks.”
“After spotting a big white tent, we presumed that someone had been stabbed.”
Mr Raja stated that the majority of the audience were unaware of the incident as they were preoccupied with the fireworks display and news did not spread quickly.
“I was disturbed by the large number of children present. It’s truly disheartening that, on a day like this, individuals choose to engage in despicable behavior.”
A male individual has been apprehended for alleged homicide and placed under police detainment.
Police are still maintaining large areas blocked off as they investigate the scene and the surrounding vicinity through a forensic analysis.
On X, London Mayor Sadiq Khan shared: “It is truly tragic when a young person’s life is taken by senseless violence.”
Sir Keir Starmer made a request for people who may have witnessed the incident, and expressed his sympathy for the loved ones of the teenager who tragically lost their life on Primrose Hill last night.
Police reported that Primrose Hill in London was bustling with people observing the New Year’s Eve fireworks when a stabbing occurred.
Police believe there were many individuals in the vicinity during the incident. If you witnessed the event or possess relevant information, cellphone recordings or other evidence that could be useful, please contact 101 or tag @MetCC with reference CAD 6649/31 Dec.
To maintain confidentiality, please reach out to Crimestoppers.
Source: independent.co.uk
