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Birmingham stabbing: Girl killed on Hagley Road bus Birmingham stabbing: Manhunt as girl killed on Hagley Road bus
(35 minutes later)
A 16-year-old girl has been stabbed to death on a bus during rush hour on one of Birmingham's busiest roads. A city-wide manhunt is under way after a 16-year-old girl was stabbed to death on a rush-hour bus on one of Birmingham's busiest roads.
Police said they had detained a man in the city centre in connection with the stabbing, which happened on the Hagley Road, at its junction with Five Ways, at about 07:40 GMT. Police are looking for a black male in his late teens or early 20s in dark clothing after the "sporadic attack" on the Hagley Road at 07:40 GMT.
Officers believe the girl was on her way to school. He was thought to be wearing a jacket with a tiger design or other logo on and carrying a white carrier bag.
Police have begun a murder inquiry and the victim's family has been informed. Officers believe the girl was on her way to school when she was stabbed.
The Hagley Road is due to be shut for most of the day. Det Supt Richard Baker urged anyone who saw the man, who was also believed to be wearing dark jeans, not to approach him.
Traffic queues are backing up for several miles along the Hagley Road, one of the major routes into the city centre. Mr Baker said every specialist officer in the city was involved in a "manhunt operation" for the suspect.
Officers were alerted by a call from a member of the public to say a passenger had been attacked. He said officers were pursuing the possibility the attacker was known to the girl but said the murder investigation was still in its "very early stages" and said they did not want to speculate on the motive.
West Midlands Police said the murder investigation was "at its very early stages". The bus has been taken away from the scene, near the Five Ways junction of the Hagley Road and the road has reopened.
The outbound carriageway of the Hagley Road and surrounding pavements are likely remain closed for the rest of the day, police said. 'Distressed and distraught'
Forensics officers Mr Baker said the girl's family were "distressed and distraught" at the news.
Traffic queues had been backing up for several miles along the Hagley Road, one of the major routes into the city centre.
Drivers have reported traffic queues of about five miles backing up from Five Ways to where the Hagley Road meets the M5 at junction three.Drivers have reported traffic queues of about five miles backing up from Five Ways to where the Hagley Road meets the M5 at junction three.
The bus remains at a bus stop outside an office block, just past the Five Ways Island on the way out of the city centre.
The whole area is cordoned off. Pedestrians cannot walk past at the moment. There are two ambulances, five police cars and forensics officers have arrived.
Lots of members of the public are trying to find out what's happened and others are asking about what's happening to buses in the area.
People here say this is usually a safe - but busy - area.
Forensics officers have been seen going onto the bus, which remains at a bus stop outside an office block on the outbound side of the road.
Pedestrians are having to walk around the office block to get past the police cordon.
A spokesman from National Express West Midlands said: "We can confirm that a tragic incident took place on a number 9 service this morning.A spokesman from National Express West Midlands said: "We can confirm that a tragic incident took place on a number 9 service this morning.
"Our thoughts and condolences are with the family of the person involved and we will offer all possible support to the police in their investigation into the matter.""Our thoughts and condolences are with the family of the person involved and we will offer all possible support to the police in their investigation into the matter."
The company said eight of its bus services - 9, 120, 126, 127, 128, 129, 140 and 141 - were affected by the stabbing.The company said eight of its bus services - 9, 120, 126, 127, 128, 129, 140 and 141 - were affected by the stabbing.
It said services were being diverted via Calthorpe Road, Westbourne Road, Harborne Road and Chad Road to a part of the Hagley Road from where they were able to continue on their normal routes.It said services were being diverted via Calthorpe Road, Westbourne Road, Harborne Road and Chad Road to a part of the Hagley Road from where they were able to continue on their normal routes.
The company urged passengers to allow extra time for their journeys.The company urged passengers to allow extra time for their journeys.
A police spokesman said: "Officers and other emergency services were immediately dispatched but it was clear that nothing could be done to save the victim.
"West Midlands Police have identified the victim's family and are in the process of breaking the sad news."
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