Two teenagers arrested after schoolboy stabbed to death in nature park

A 14-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl have been arrested after a schoolboy was stabbed to death in a nature park following a brief altercation.

The 14-year-old victim died after being stabbed in Whitehills Nature Park in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear at around 8pm on Monday evening.

Northumbria Police said they were alerted by the ambulance service to reports that a child had been stabbed.

The victim, who is understood to come from a Polish family, was rushed to hospital but died in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Locals said the boy’s mother had been working a night shift at a local food factory when she was informed that her son had been stabbed.

Police said a 14-year-old boy had been arrested on suspicion of murder and a 13-year-old girl on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Nicola Morris, 40, who lives close to the park, said she had heard that the stabbing had occurred following a brief altercation.

She said: "My nephew was with the lad who died at the time. He was with five or six friends. It's terrible, he was a lovely lad. His mum is very nice as well, it's a real tragedy, he had his whole life in front of him.”

Neighbour Rafa Konobinski, 30, said: "He was a nice kid, just a boy, it's shocking that his life has been taken like this, truly shocking.

"He is a friend of my step-son, they would play together riding their scooters, just young boys enjoying themselves.”

He added: “His mother was at work when she heard what had happened. She was working the night shift at a biscuit factory.”

Family left 'devastated beyond belief'

Chief Superintendent Helena Barron of Northumbria Police said: “A teenage boy has sadly died and his family have been left devastated beyond belief.

“Our thoughts are very much with his loved ones at this time and we are supporting them in every way we can.

“We are determined to find out exactly what happened and a full investigation is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

“We have arrested two teenagers in relation to the incident and officers remain in the area to carry out a range of enquiries and offer reassurance to the community.”