Man stabbed in 20-strong brawl
A MAN was stabbed following a mass brawl involving 20 people in the city centre.
Police were called to reports of 20 men fighting at the junction of Great Marlborough Street and Whitworth Street, close to Manchester Oxford Road railway station, at 4am yesterday.
When officers arrived they discovered a 20-year-old man who was unconscious and had suffered stab wounds.
The man was taken to hospital where he was treated. He was said to be in a serious, but not lifethreatening, condition.
A 21-year-old man was also admitted to hospital with a stab wound but was discharged.
It is believed the man was stabbed at an event on New Wakefield Street. The incident took place close to a number of apartment blocks and popular bars, including the 02 Ritz, Gorilla and Blackdog Ballroom.
Police have arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder and another man for posses- sion of an offensive weapon. Three men and a woman were arrested on suspicion of affray.
An investigation has launched and a section of Great Marlborough Street was taped off by police. A police tent was also set up in the street, outside the Bright Horizons day nursery and pre-school, but has since been removed.
Images shared from the scene show police riot shields left in the street. One resident said they were woken by noise and could hear bottles being smashed by an ‘unruly mob causing a commotion.’
Supt Steve Howard, from GMP’s City of Manchester Team, said: “We know there was a large group of men fighting, so anyone who witnessed this fight should get in touch with police.
“We have made some arrests but this doesn’t mean our investigation is done – we now need witnesses to the attack who can help us give the man and his family the answers they deserve.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4450 or call 101 – or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.