A stabbing victim ‘died in the arms’ of a local man who came to try and help, in a serious incident that has locked down streets in South Wales.
Two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the man was reportedly stabbed to death on a street in Barry, near Cardiff.
The victim, 38, lived locally and was described as a ‘normal, sound person’ by workers nearby, who had no idea why he would have been targeted.
The manager of Pizza #1 told Metro the man ‘died in my arms’ after he rushed to try and help before police arrived.
Bektas told how he and two female bystanders did what they could to support the man, who had been a regular customer, sometimes buying a doner kebab.
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‘I didn’t see what happened, I came later,’ he said. ‘I told the police officer, “he’s gone”.’
He claimed the police and paramedics had responded ‘late’ and added he was with the man for perhaps 15 or 20 minutes: ‘We tried but we couldn’t do nothing.
‘He was a good man, I don’t know what the problem was or what happened before.’
Serkan Evren, 35, manager of the nearby Tuck In Cafe, told Metro: ‘Apparently people were chasing him and one stabbed him. I have no idea what led to it.
‘He was stabbed on the side of his heart on the upper chest. They didn’t have a chance to take him to hospital.’
Mr Evren said the attack on Barry Road had been witnessed by another local businessman, who had told him what happened when he arrived for work this morning.
‘He closed the shop, went outside to get something and when he was coming back he saw there was a stabbing. Within about five or ten minutes he passed out.
‘The guy was a local guy; I know him and he knows him. He was a normal, quiet person, go with the flow. He wasn’t aggressive.
‘A lot of people are upset and angry about the situation.’
A nearby primary school, Jenner Park, is closed today with the surrounding streets cordoned off after the ‘serious incident’ just before midnight last night.
South Wales Police said: ‘A 38-year-old man from Barry has died and his family are being supported by specially trained liaison officers.
‘Two males, aged 16 and 17, from Llantwit Major, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody.’
They added that cordons and road closures ‘will remain in place for some time while enquiries continue’.
Detective Superintendent Mark O’Shea said: ‘This is a close-knit community who no doubt will be deeply shocked and saddened by what has taken place.
‘We are aware that the incident is having a significant impact on the local community with an extensive police cordon, road closures and a primary school also closed for the day.
‘We thank the public for their support and understanding at this time.’
Photos from the scene show an area of Barry in South Wales taped off while an investigation takes place.
Forensics teams have been deployed to the area, with only residents allowed behind the cordon.
Parents at Jenner Park Primary School were sent a message telling them school is ‘inaccessible’, Wales Online reported.
The message said: ‘Unfortunately the school will be closed today on the advice of South Wales Police due to a major incident near the main entrance which has meant the surrounding streets have had to be cordoned off. Therefore school is inaccessible.’
The Vale of Glamorgan Council said: ‘Please note there are emergency road closures in the following locations due to a serious incident this morning. South Wales Police are on the scene. Please avoid the area.
The Welsh Ambulance Service has been asked to comment, while South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed it is not in attendance.
Affected roads are Barry Road junction of Herbert St and Davies St, Barry Road near the Tuck In Cafe, the Court Road junction of Davies Street and the Court Road junction of Hannah Street.
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