Two men slashed in Hamilton

Jun 11 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

SHOPPERS watched in horror as two young men suffered slash wounds to the face in a Hamilton town centre blade battle.

Both were taken to hospital after the knife fight occurred at the Bottom Cross on Tuesday at 3.20pm.

Police rushed to the scene and then cordoned-off the blood-spattered pavement.

It’s believed the fight occurred after two young men aged 17 and 22, had been punching each other in nearby Cadzow Street a short time earlier.

The 17-year-old was walking at the Bottom Cross, near RS McColl’s, when he was slashed in the head and face.

Eyewitnesses said the 22-year-old was slashed in the ear and face before running away.

The dazed teenager covered in blood staggered into RS McColl’s where shocked staff gave him paper towels to stem the blood pouring for his wounds.

Emergency services were alerted and several officers and paramedics arrived quickly on the scene.

Police sealed off the Bottom Cross from RS McColl’s to the Manhattan Bar as they searched for clues.

The 17-year-old was taken to Hairmyres Hospital where he was treated for his facial injuries.

The 22-year-old was taken to Wishaw General Hospital for treatment. Because of the seriousness of his injuries, he was moved to Monklands Hospital, where he discharged himself later that day.

One eyewitness said: “They were boxing with each other in Cadzow Street and it stopped.

“The next thing one of them was walking at the Bottom Cross outside RS McColl’s when his attacker ran up to him and slashed him in the face.”

A shopkeeper, who witnessed the aftermath of the incident, said: “I came outside and saw that one youth’s face was all cut.

“He was walking about with his top off and covered in blood.

“He staggered into RS McColl’s for help and they gave him some paper towels to wipe his face.

“The police came around and attended him.”

Another eyewitness said: “He was in a bit of a state.

“He was in a state of shock.

“I think he was slashed from the top of his head down to his eye.

“The other boy ran off and he looked as if he had been slashed in the ear.”

One shocked shopper said: “I can’t believe it that someone was stabbed in the street in broad daylight.

“There were mums with young babies in prams.

“The pavement was covered in blood and it looked like an abattoir.”

Following the incident, Detective Sergeant Norman Laurie, of Hamilton CID, said: “An altercation took place in the area around Cadzow Street area between three men.

“Two of them sustainedinjuries which are conduciveto a sharp instrument being used.

“However, as a result of community interaction and prompt response by the police and CCTV, the persons involved were traced.”

Yesterday (Wednesday), a police spokeswoman confirmed that ‘bladed’ instruments were used during the attack and both men sustained serious injuries to their faces

A 17-year-old man and a 22-year-old man would be reported to the procuratorfiscal in connection with anincident in Hamilton town centre.