Two taken to hospital after stabbing in Ashton

A man and a woman have been taken to hospital after a stabbing in Ashton this lunchtime.

It happened at 12pm on Darnton Road, opposite Ashton Sixth Form College and close to Tameside Hospital.

According to police they were called to reports that a man had been stabbed. Upon arrival they found a man with a stab wound in his back. He was then taken to hospital.

Stagecoach buses tweeted that the 231 service was being diverted via Mossley Road and Fountain Street while the incident is dealt with.

Police said they were called at around 11.57am to Darnton Road to reports that an altercation between two men had escalated into a fight.

"During the incident, a man in his 40s, received stab wounds to his head and back and a woman, in her late 30s, received minor injuries to her legs and arms. 

"Both have been taken to hospital where they remain for treatment."

Police are now searching for the driver of a Volkswagen Beetle that left the scene shortly after the stabbing. They'd like to speak to the man seen driving this car.

Chief Inspector Jane Butler of GMP’s Tameside District, said: “Considering the circumstances, we believe that this is an isolated incident and there’s no further concern for people in the local area.

“As the incident happened in broad daylight, we’re confident that people would have witnessed what had happened so I’d encourage them to contact our investigation team directly with any information that they have. 

“Enquiries into the incident and the circumstances surrounding it will continue throughout the day, including at the scene but please, if you saw something, let us know.” 

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 9353 quoting incident number 1218 of 18/07/19 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.