A LOVE note has been found at the scene where a girl was stabbed to death on a bus – with witnesses claiming the teen was killed moments after rejecting flowers from a boy.
The 15-year-old victim, a pupil at Old Palace of John Whitgift School, died after she was knifed in the neck on the No 60 double-decker bus in Croydon, south London.
A witness claimed her attacker handed her flowers – which she rejected before he stabbed her at about 8.30am.
A love note was seen being examined by forensic officers at the scene, along with blood-stained roses.
Multiple witnesses claimed the weapon was a machete-like blade – with one saying the teen was wearing "all black".
A 17-year-old boy, believed to be known to the victim, was arrested in New Addington and remains in custody, the Metropolitan Police said.
And witnesses have since revealed devastating details of the bloody stabbing – which reportedly saw the bus driver covered in blood as he tried to save the young woman.
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Chevanice Thomas, who works on the nearby Landsdown Building site, said her friend saw a group of schoolchildren and adults running from the scene immediately after the stabbing at around 8.30am this morning.
Ms Thomas, 28, said: "Apparently she [the victim] broke up with her boyfriend yesterday.
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"My friend said there was people with their children running everywhere.
"The only person who stayed was the bus driver. A lot of people got out their vehicles and started running.
"My friend said they were off the bus, talking, the boy and the girl.
"The boy gave her flowers, but she didn't want anything to do with him.
"Then he got violent and stabbed her. My friend said the knife was like a sword.
"My friend was on [the opposite side of the road]. She crossed over just before she got stabbed.
"It was a packed bus. Kids and parents were running everywhere."
Another witness claimed the knife was like a "machete" with witnesses claiming the driver of the bus, which was heading to Streatham Station, asked passengers to look for the weapon.
A man also described how he and others chased a boy in the wake of the attack.
Victor Asare was on a bus on the way home from a night shift as a security worker when he said he saw a boy in a black blazer stab a girl in the neck with a knife which was "black, thin and about a foot long".
The 50-year-old said: "The boy wore a black blazer, the girl wore green. It looked like the girl didn't want the boy to come closer."
He then described the boy stabbing the girl in the neck with a black knife.
"A lot of people came, everyone came off the bus. [The boy] ran away," he added.
"Everybody was crying and screaming. The girl was on the floor.
"We tried to catch him and a lot of people tried to save the girl. I was so shocked, I was shaken. It's somebody's daughter.
"I finished work but couldn't sleep, so came back, I wanted to see if the girl was OK."
James Watkins, from the Croydon-based youth organisation Mainz World, revealed the girl's heartbroken parents raced to the scene but arrived too late to say goodbye to their daughter.
He said: "I was with the victim's family this morning. They're devastated, but more importantly in shock.
"I spoke to their parents. It was pure devastation, shock and disbelief."
The girl's heartbroken parents rushed to the scene after being told of the incident in a telephone call from one of victim's friends, Mr Watkins said.
He continued: "The parents were contacted by some of the girls who were involved and spoken to by a friend.
"They came down after, and unfortunately weren't able to arrive in time (before their daughter died). She was relatively local to the area."
Forensic officers are currently at the scene, with the No 60 double decker bus cordoned off outside the Whitgift Centre.
The Arriva No 60 bus has "Streatham Station" on its screen.
A huge police cordon has been set up and the entire carriageway where the bus is has been closed off.
Jason Perry, Mayor of Croydon, said: "I am devastated to hear that the teenage girl who was stabbed in the town centre this morning has tragically died.
"The Council are in touch with the police and will fully support their investigations.
"Our whole community's thoughts are with the victim's family and friends."
He added: "A suspect, who is believed to have known the victim, has been arrested, and I would like to thank all those who responded so quickly to the incident."
Old Palace released a statement after the tragedy, saying: "We are deeply shocked by the senseless and tragic death of our much-loved and valued friend and pupil.
"It will take some time for the Old Palace community to come to terms with this terrible news, and we will offer support to our pupils as we try to do so.
"Above all, we send our love and deepest sympathies to the girl's family at this unimaginably distressing time."
Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain said: "Our immediate thoughts are with this young girl's family who are facing the most tragic of news. Our officers are with the girl's family to support them.
"I am in contact with the local community, who are clearly as concerned as we are about this tragic incident. I shall continue to update them throughout the day."
Mr Brittain added: "My officers were immediately on scene to provide first aid and support paramedics.
"Acting on information provided to them, officers also worked closely with colleagues from across the Met and the British Transport Police to track a teenager in connection with the stabbing.
"I can confirm that an arrest was made at about 9.45am in the Croydon area. At this early stage we believe that he may have known her.
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"A crime scene will be in place for some time, and I am grateful for the co-operation of residents."
He added officers "carried out urgent enquiries to find the suspect" and "within 75 minutes a 17-year-old boy was arrested in New Addington".
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