A man - named locally as Trigger - has died after being attacked by a gang armed with an "eight-inch knife and a hacksaw" in Thamesmead this afternoon.

Police were called at 2.12pm to reports of a large group of males congregating in Wolvercote Road.

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They were directed to a man in his 20s suffering from a stab wound.

London Ambulance Service was called while London's Air Ambulance landed on the playing fields of nearby Willow Bank School.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Today, friends, who were too upset to speak, lay flowers at the spot, with one card reading: "Rest in peace Trigs, it wasn't our time."

This afternoon, a large section of the area around Wolvercote Road was taped off by police, with forensics combing the scene and large groups of officers carrying out door to door inquiries.

Residents described how the man had been chased into an alleyway and stabbed by a gang who then scattered in different directions, with several fleeing towards Southmere Lake.

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Neighbour Ted Knott told News Shopper: "Five of them were chasing three other boys. One had a knife about eight or six inches big and a hacksaw."

Mr Knott said the incident may have been sparked over a £400 debt. 

A woman, who did not want to be named, watched as paramedics desperately tried to save the victim.

She said: "The ambulance and air ambulance people were working on him.

"They did surgery on him to try and save him but it didn't work.

"They were working on him for more than half an hour.

"I just saw him lying flat there. My friend was trying to speak to him but he couldn't get his breath."

Another witness, who did not want to be named, added: "I heard a lot of shouting and commotion on Wolvercote Road, this turned out to be a fight with four black youths. 

"I then saw two youths run off towards Hartslock Drive holding a large knife.

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Flowers left nearby, with the message: "Rest in peace Trigs, it wasn't our time."

"The man they had just stabbed in the chest crawled for help.

"An air ambulance, paramedics and ambulances attended and started doing CPR."

The incident is currently being investigated by Bexley police.

Do you know the man or did you see what happened? Call News Shopper on 01689 885714 or email mchandler@london.newsquest.co.uk

NEW UPDATE: Thamesmead murder victim named locally as Ben Fashina