A 13-year-old boy has been left seriously injured after being stabbed inside a Taco Bell restaurant in Rochdale on Saturday evening, following an intrusion by a large gang of knife-wielding youths.
Emergency services rushed to the scene on Riverside Walk shortly after receiving emergency calls, and two teenage boys have since been arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of a bladed article.
Witnesses dining at the fast-food outlet described the terrifying moment approximately 25 youths carrying knives allegedly swarmed a crew member guarding the entrance at around 6:00pm before breaking inside.
Rochdale is a large town in Greater Manchester, England, located near the foothills of the South Pennines. The attack occurred at the town centre's Riverside Walk retail development, where Taco Bell, an American fast-food chain specializing in Mexican-inspired items, operates a restaurant. Greater Manchester Police is the territorial force responsible for law enforcement across the region.
Gang forces entry into Rochdale restaurant
Diner David Lane was eating with his wife and children when the chaotic scene unfolded. Mr Lane said he asked restaurant staff to lock the front doors at around 5:50pm after becoming concerned for his family's safety when a group of teenagers entered the building and began fighting.
About ten minutes later, a crew member stationed at the entrance was pushed by one of the youths. According to Mr Lane, around 20 to 25 teenagers then forced their way inside, with several members of the group allegedly armed with knives.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Mr Lane explained that his own son had been using the customer toilet when the youths first entered the restaurant, but fortunately exited the bathroom moments before the group headed inside.
Diner steps in to provide first aid
Once inside the bathroom, the group allegedly attacked the 13-year-old teenager and stabbed him before members of the public intervened to try to save him.
Hearing screams, Mr Lane rushed forward to assist the victim after the lad was stabbed. He grabbed a bundle of paper napkins and applied firm pressure to the teenager's wound while horrified onlookers were being evacuated from the building.
"I heard a load of crying and screaming. That's when the lad got stabbed," Mr Lane said. "I grabbed a load of napkins and put pressure on the wound. It looked like he lost a lot of blood. It was a hectic scene."
Reflecting on the traumatic event, Mr Lane added: "My wife was looking after our children at the time. It was horrific. If it wasn't for my actions, I think he would have died. My children shouldn't have to see that."
Police launch investigation and close branch
Emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after the attack, and an ambulance rushed the 13-year-old boy to hospital with serious injuries.
Police officers evacuated remaining members of the public from the premises before cordoning off the area. The Taco Bell store remains shut while officers continue their investigation.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed the emergency response and the subsequent arrests. "We were called to reports of a stabbing at 6.09pm on Riverside Walk. A boy, 13, was taken to hospital with serious injuries," the spokesman said. "Two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of a bladed article. Enquiries are ongoing."
