Teenager seriously injured after stabbing in Westhoughton

His injuries are believed to be 'life threatening'.

Police were called to Church Street at approximately 9.15pm on Friday evening to reports of a disturbance and a large group of people fighting.

It is understood the fight was close to the Wheatsheaf pub in Market Street.

We have live updates on the story here.

Officers are still in the area and a scene remains in place.

No arrests have been made yet and enquiries are ongoing.

A 19-year-old witness, said: “I saw a load of kids fighting in the street. I went over and tried to get them to stop because it was six people attacking one and that’s not right.

“It did, he ran up to the Italianos restaurant and that’s when I think he got stabbed.

“I saw him a few minutes after he’d first been attacked, collapsed outside Italianos.

“He was in a bad way, on the floor and a lot of blood.

“This was at about 9.30pm.

“It seemed to take a long time for the ambulance and police to arrive.”

Sharon Williams who works at Westhoughton Market was in the area last night before the incident.

She said: "Basically I was driving through the junction, coming down towards Casa Nostra, I looked at the cemetery as I was parked at the lights, I heard music, there was a gang of kids at yard, playing loud music, gathered together.

"I wondered if someone had died at first, maybe a vigil. But then I looked at the other side and there were about eight kids outside Casa Nostra, I did think it was a bit weird.

"I’ve got family buried in the cemetery so I always look over. Obviously later I saw the Facebook post and thought that was shocking.

"There must’ve been around 20 lads there. You just wonder what’s going on in lockdown. It made me feel a bit unseasy, you feel something’s not right. I was really sad to hear about what had happened this morning."

A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Officers were called around 9.15pm on Friday February 19 to Church Street, Westhoughton following a report of a disturbance and what was believed to be a large group of people fighting.

"Officers attended and enquiries established a large group had gathered at the location and one male, aged 17, had been stabbed.

READ MORE > Westhoughton stabbing updates: Teenager fighting for his life

"He was taken to hospital with injuries that are believed to be life threatening.

"No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.

"A scene remains in place. 

"Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 5757 quoting 2882 of 19/02/21.

"Alternatively details can be passed on anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Market Street is closed both ways closed due the incident from B5236 Wigan Road to King Street.