Words by Ed King & Estelle Murphy / Pics & video by Estelle Murphy
Police shut off Short Heath Road this afternoon, following reports of a stabbing at the Lifestyle Express newsagent – next to the Facethetics beauty salon and just opposite The Red Lion Pub.
Full details of the incident are yet to be confirmed by emergency services, although Erdington Local had a reporter at the scene talking to the many local residents who were witnessing events.
Rush hour traffic was brought to a standstill after emergency services attended the scene at around 5pm, with hundreds of commuters forced to take alternative routes following a police cordon blocking the entrance to Short Heath Road from Station Road.
Pictures taken from the scene show at least four marked police cars and one ambulance in attendance, as blue police tape is extended to block off the busy thoroughfare.
Witnesses at the scene further told they saw police dog vans, a Critical Care Team vehicle, and an armed response unit also attend.
One eyewitness told Erdington Local: “I think it happened at around 5pm, I saw them (emergency services) working on a young man, possibly in his early twenties, for about 20 minutes before the took him away. I’m pretty sure he was stabbed, possibly by a machete.”
Another explained: “I was driving home, down Station Road, and the traffic was almost gridlock. Then I saw all the flashing lights and eventually the police tape.
“It’s just a regular afternoon, a Monday. You don’t expect to literally run into a crime scene on your way back from work.”
Police at the scene were not able to confirm or deny any information. Erdington Local has contacted the emergency services involved for more information or an official public statement.