Knife gang leaves victim critical

One man is fighting for his life and another is in hospital today after an eight-strong knife gang went on the rampage.

Police responding to a 999 call found a man writhing in agony in Shepherd's Bush Road after being stabbed in the leg outside Hammersmith Palais.

He told police he had been attacked by a gang which then set upon another victim farther up the road.

The second man, in his thirties, had multiple stab wounds and is said to be in a "critical" condition.

It is understood that after carrying out the attacks the gang split up and left the area in separate taxis. A spokesman said Met police have an open mind on what caused the violence but there may have been "an altercation before the knife was drawn".

Detectives believe there must have been a large number of witnesses to what happened before, during and after the attacks, in a very busy part of the city.

They urged anyone with information to call them on 020 8246 2689 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.