Woman gives birth after being stabbed in stomach
A heavily pregnant woman who was stabbed repeatedly has given birth to a healthy baby, but remains in a serious condition.
|||London - A heavily pregnant woman who was stabbed repeatedly in a busy town centre has given birth to a healthy baby, but remains in a serious condition.
Five people intervened to defend the 40-year-old woman when she was stabbed in the stomach in broad daylight in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands.
The victim of an apparent “domestic-related” attack was taken by air ambulance to hospital, where West Midlands Police said the baby had been born and was “doing well”.
At time of going to press the mother was said to be in a critical but stable condition.
Police commended the bravery of the men who came to her aid, two of whom were injured when the attacker turned his knife on them.
They were able to alert two passing police officers in Trinity Hill who managed to disarm and detain the knifeman.
A 41-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder and taken into custody.
A large area of the town centre was cordoned off as police investigated and gathered forensic evidence.
Chief Inspector Julian Harper said that the man and victim “are believed to be known to each other so this was what we call a domestic-related situation”.
He said no other members of the public should be alarmed, saying police believe they have arrested the only person involved.
“This happened in a busy area but I would reassure the community that a man has been arrested and we are working hard to understand the circumstances that led up to the assault.
“What is clear at this early stage is that two members of the public bravely stepped in to what was a dangerous and volatile situation, with complete disregard for their own safety and I commend them for their actions. Fortunately they suffered only minor injuries,” he added.
If either the mother or the baby should die the case would become a murder investigation, he said, adding that West Midlands Police is hoping the victim will make a full recovery.
The Independent