Man ‘chased with tomahawk’ through West London before body was found

A group of four, including one attacker swinging a tomahawk axe, were seen chasing a man who was later found dead in a ‘horrific’ incident, witnesses said.

Police were called to a crime scene at Birbeck Road, Acton, yesterday morning to reports of a fatally wounded man.

Now, witnesses have told Metro that shortly before police arrived they saw a gang of four chasing a ‘middle-aged’ man through the area, with one swinging a tomahawk axe as the others brandished broken bottles.

The witness, 24, a waiter who called the police, told Metro the victim had a gash above his eye with blood pouring out as he was surrounded.

He said: ‘I was watching a horrific film and then I heard screaming from the street at first I thought it was on the TV. Then I looked out and heard someone shouting “come on, come here.”

‘I looked out and there was a man swinging and running after a middle aged guy. He had an injury above his eyebrow. Others chasing him had bottles. They were really going for him. As they were attacking him I was on the phone to the police describing what was happening.

‘It was so violent I saw another man injured as well. It all seemed to be connected with the barbers. There was a room on a red dress there as well they had been at a sorry party.’

Another witness told Metro: ‘There was a birthday party at the barbers. Something happened and it all kicked off. The guy who died wasn’t young, he was an older guy seen like a father figure in the community. People look up to him.’

Officers scrambled to the crime scene, supported by a helicopter, after receiving reports of a fatally wounded man shortly after 4am on Sunday morning.

Two others were injured in the incident, police said.

The man who was fatally wounded is believed to have been seriously injured on the nearby High Street, before ‘staggering’ onto Birbeck Road where he ultimately died.

A mother of four, 58, told Metro; ‘The incident started outside some shops. Police people locally it was a shooting and that two others were injured.

‘It’s extremely shocking. There were police, some armed everywhere and a police helicopter.’

Another neighbour said: ‘I woke up to police blue lights and shouting. Paramedics seemed to be working on a man. It was horrible. 

Monday morning commuters had their journeys significantly affected due to road closures in Acton.

A police spokesperson added on road closures as the investigation unfolds: ‘While we recognise the impact this will have on local residents and businesses, it is essential to provide us with the best chance to secure evidence.’

A huge police cordon remains in place as forensics officers and detectives trawl for clues. 

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 4.06am to reports of an incident on Birkbeck Road.

‘We sent a number of resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, a paramedic in a fast response car and an incident response officer. We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.

‘Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, one person died at the scene. Two patients were taken as priorities to major trauma centres.’

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