Blackpool pensioner stabbed in the neck

The 66-year-old victim remains in a serious condition in hospital following the incident – which took place in broad daylight – in Warbreck Hill Road, North Shore, yesterday.

Detectives have recovered the knife they believe was used in the attack and were last night questioning a man on suspicion of attempted murder.

Shocked residents of Warbreck Hill Road, where the victim was attacked at around 10.30am, today described how shocked passers-by stopped to help the victim as she lay in the street.

Some neighbours were unable to leave their homes for around three hours as police closed the road.

Police said the woman, who is local, suffered serious injuries to her neck and was taken to hospital, where she remains in a “serious condition”.

Warbreck Hill Road resident Jeff Flint said the first he knew of the attack was when police asked if he could make a cup of tea for two passers-by who rushed to the victim’s aid.

“I heard the sirens but I never thought they would stop here,” he said.

“I said ‘something has happened somewhere’ but never thought it would be right outside.

“I was having a shave and then the police knocked on the door.

“You don’t expect this on a Monday morning – or any morning. I wonder if they have had a tiff or something – but why has he got a knife on him?”

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s crazy what has happened.

“Five or six vehicles stopped and tried to help the poor person – I just hope she is all right.

“A guy was arrested right across the street from me.

“At first, I just thought somebody had been knocked over but then the police came round saying it was a serious incident.

“It’s just really frightening – you don’t see anything like that around here.”

Detectives confirmed a 65-year-old man was arrested at the scene and was being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “A 66-year-old woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries where she remains in a serious condition.

“She has received serious injuries to her neck and a knife was recovered from the scene.

“A 65-year-old man from Blackpool has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.”

Det Chief Insp Mark Winstanley, of Blackpool CID, said police are still working to establish the motive behind the attack.

He added: “The parties are known to each other and we can say it is not a random attack.

“We have had detectives and forensic investigators at the scene and we are making inquiries in the area. A knife was recovered.

“There have been police officers in attendance quickly and members of the public who have come to the woman’s aid.”

Police said they are not searching for anyone else in connection with the incident.