Shocked eye-witnesses told how a have-a-go hero tackled a hooded maniac armed with a “massive” knife who stabbed three people in a rampage at a doctors’ surgery.
They said the “very brave” bystander stepped in to protect his mother and other patients in the The Tredegar Practice in Bow, east London.
Armed police were deployed to the scene – but the incident is not terror-related, according to Scotland Yard.
A mum-of-three was waiting in the surgery when the suspect – wearing Army-style camouflage clothing – burst in waving a kitchen knife at around 11am today (WED).
She said the Asian man in his late 20s lunged at her with a blade which was between 10 and 12 inches long.
She saw some patients run out of the waiting room as one young “slim” man tried to wrestle the knife away from the attacker before she locked herself in a toilet.
When she came out she saw another man who was in the surgery had been slashed across his neck and chest while the knifeman was put into the back of a police van wearing only boxer shorts.
She said he had stabbed a third victim – understood a female pensioner in a wheelchair – at St Stephens Health Centre around the corner.
The mum, who did not want to be named, said: “He had camouflage kit with his hood up with glasses.
“They were normal glasses, he had long hair, an Asian guy. He was in his mid to late 20s.
“The knife was massive.
“As I looked up, I saw him waving the knife. I think it was a kitchen knife.
“There was a load of shouting, but I couldn’t tell you exactly what was being said.
“He was just lunging with the knife at people. He went like that to me and I started screaming.
“I just went into a state of panic.
“The man in the green jumper, his mum was sitting there and he was sitting there. He was only mid to late 20s himself. He was slim.
“He lunged at me then stepped backwards because the other guy was shouting.
“Once he went for that guy in the green – I don’t know if he stabbed him or sliced him.
“The guy in green was pushing him – I don’t know if he was trying to grab the knife.
“I think he was trying to defuse it, and trying to stop him.
“He has saved people because he stopped other people from getting injured, but he was probably worried about his mum as well. She was in her 50s.
“He was very brave. It was terrifying because the only thing I could think about was my kids at the time.
“I locked myself in the toilet. It was about seven minutes I was in there for.”
She said she texted a relative saying: “I’m so scared Sal, I’ve just locked myself in the toilet, someone just come in stabbing people, I don’t know if he’s still out there.”
She said after she came outside she saw another man who was in the waiting room had been slashed across his neck.
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: “Police were called at 11.06am to reports of a stabbing at a health centre on St Stephen’s Road, Tower Hamlets.
“Officers, including specialist firearms officers, attended and found three people suffering from stab injuries.
“They were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service; their injuries are not being treated as life-threatening.”
She added: “A man was detained nearby and taken to hospital suffering from an injury.
“Cordons remain in place while enquiries are ongoing.”