A teenager has recalled the moments he was allegedly stabbed in the stomach by a gang in Ladbroke Grove.
He said he thought of death crossed his mind as he slumped to the floor and his girlfriend kept him calm while they waited for emergency services to arrive.
The 18-year-old, who asked not to be named, said he received a knife wound to the chest which caused little damage, but another to the stomach sliced his liver and bowel.
He said the alleged attack was unprovoked, and is now recovering after the incident on Golborne Road, North Kensington on November 23.
A male friend, who was with them at the time was also allegedly injured in the attack, suffering a less serious knife wound to the buttock.
The teenager who suffered the chest wound required a six-hour operation, with surgeons using nearly 40 staples to put him back together, and said he was in hospital for three to four weeks. He has provided photos to show the state of his torso following the operation.
He was born and raised in Southall but had been living with his girlfriend and her mother a week before the attack.
He said: “There were guys outside a shop asking where I came from. I told them I live here.”
He walked walked away with his friends but claims the group followed them and started the attack.
The teenager continued: “At first I didn’t even know I’d been stabbed. It wasn’t until I lifted up the T-shirt and saw the blood pouring out. I just froze.
“I didn’t know what to think. I didn’t panic, I just sat on the floor.
“I was scared. It crossed my mind that I might die. But I thought if I meant to die today I’m meant to die, if it’s your day to go, it’s your day to go.
“I just focused on my breathing and answering the police’s questions when they arrived.
“I heard about these things happening but you never think it will happen to you. This has never happened to me.”
He is now recovering at his girlfriend’s home, close to the scene of the attack, and planning to return to college shortly.
Police said they are still investigating the attack, and have made no arrests.
Anyone with information can call them on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
