Double murder investigation launched after man and teenage boy die in Ipswich stabbing

Police respond to a reported stabbing at Ipswich hospital.

The force confirmed last night that a man and a teenage boy both died following an incident at West Meadows travellers’ site in Ipswich on Thursday afternoon.

One of the victims arrived in a car at Ipswich Hospital with stab wounds, while the other was taken by ambulance from the site near the A14’s Whitehouse Interchange.

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident. He was taken into custody on Thursday.

Police were first called just after 1.15pm on Thursday to reports that a man had been stabbed at West Meadows.

A large police presence attended and began enquiries at the scene.

A heavy police presence has been reported in the area (Image: Archant)

Police then received a call at just after 1.30pm to Heath Road, Ipswich, reporting another man had arrived at Ipswich hospital having suffered suspected stab wounds.

On Thursday night, Suffolk Constabulary spokeswoman Anne-Marie Breach said: “Both of those injured – a man in his 30s, and a boy in his late teens – were taken for treatment, one by ambulance from the site, one by car from the site, but both died a short time later. At this stage both are believed to have been stabbed on the site at West Meadows.

“The incident is being treated as a double murder investigation and enquiries are underway to determine exactly what happened.”

An eyewitness at Ipswich Hospital said a man was lying on the pavement and was being treated for what appeared to be severe injuries.

Outside the Garrett Anderson Centre, where the A&E unit is based, a heavy police presence was on scene, with eight police cars, a police van and forensics all in attendance.

Officers had closed access to some car parks, although cars leaving and pedestrians were still able to get through.

People were also still able to get in and out of the Garrett Anderson Centre.

People were still able to get in and out of the hospital, which was not put into lockdown at any point during the incident.

An Ipswich Hospital spokesman said during the incident: “We would like to reassure patients that our services have been running as normal.”

Anyone in the area of the West Meadows site during the time of the incident on Thursday is asked to call police if they believe they saw any part of the incident.

If you can help, call Suffolk Constabulary on 101, quoting CAD reference 222 of Thursday (December 8), or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Hospital continued as normal

Despite the chaos of police presence at Ipswich Hospital yesterday, healthcare services at the site were running as normal.

The Garrett Anderson Centre was surrounded by eight police cars and a police van, with officers positioned around the various road entrances.

And while two police cars stopped cars accessing two of the hospital’s roads directly outside the centre, the car parks and roads remained largely accessible.

Indeed, patients were able to wander freely in and out of the building, with a handful of officers stationed outside the main entrance keeping watch.

Cars already parked in the sealed off car-park were able to leave, and officers were even seen helping older patients cross the road.

Outside was a subdued, but calm, atmosphere, with everyone quietly going about their business amidst the events.

Buses continued to run as normal, although all were picking up and dropping off passengers from the main entrance.

Forensics officers later arrived at the hospital to speak to the family members gathered, but business continued as normal for the thousands of staff and patients there.

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