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Stabbed girl 'was unrecognisable' Stabbed girl 'was unrecognisable'
(about 20 hours later)
The grandfather of stabbed schoolgirl Jessica Knight said her injuries were so severe he could barely recognise her when he saw her in hospital.The grandfather of stabbed schoolgirl Jessica Knight said her injuries were so severe he could barely recognise her when he saw her in hospital.
Jessica, 14, was repeatedly stabbed in what police believe was a random attack in Astley Park, Chorley, on Monday.Jessica, 14, was repeatedly stabbed in what police believe was a random attack in Astley Park, Chorley, on Monday.
She is now in a stable condition after undergoing five hours of surgery.She is now in a stable condition after undergoing five hours of surgery.
Alan Walmsley said her face was badly swollen that none of the family could recognise her. A 21-year-old man is being held by police. Alan Walmsley said her face was so badly swollen that none of the family could recognise her. A 21-year-old man is being held by police.
He said the family were finding it very difficult to accept what has happened.He said the family were finding it very difficult to accept what has happened.
Mr Walmsley had been out looking for Jessica in Chorley on Monday night, after her mother, Jill, became concerned that she had not returned home from a friend's house.Mr Walmsley had been out looking for Jessica in Chorley on Monday night, after her mother, Jill, became concerned that she had not returned home from a friend's house.
Pat and Alan Walmsley said the family was deeply upsetPat and Alan Walmsley said the family was deeply upset
"Christopher, her elder brother and I, travelled round for about an hour trying to find her, and it was only when we got back that we found the police there, telling us that Jessica had been found," he said."Christopher, her elder brother and I, travelled round for about an hour trying to find her, and it was only when we got back that we found the police there, telling us that Jessica had been found," he said.
"We all found it very difficult to accept that it was one of our own, if you like, that it was our grandchild."We all found it very difficult to accept that it was one of our own, if you like, that it was our grandchild.
"We have had lots of people wishing her well, and to those people we would like to say thank you," he said."We have had lots of people wishing her well, and to those people we would like to say thank you," he said.
Jessica's parents, Jill and Richard Knight, have also thanked the public and the emergency services for their support.Jessica's parents, Jill and Richard Knight, have also thanked the public and the emergency services for their support.
They said in a statement: "Jessica will be having further surgery over the next few days and we have an optimistic outlook."They said in a statement: "Jessica will be having further surgery over the next few days and we have an optimistic outlook."
Local people are being warned to be on their guardLocal people are being warned to be on their guard
Police said people heard screams and at 1714 GMT a cyclist found Jessica unconscious and bleeding near Astley Hall, about 80m (262ft) from Hallgate Road.Police said people heard screams and at 1714 GMT a cyclist found Jessica unconscious and bleeding near Astley Hall, about 80m (262ft) from Hallgate Road.
She was taken to Chorley and South Ribble Hospital and later transferred to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital at Pendlebury.She was taken to Chorley and South Ribble Hospital and later transferred to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital at Pendlebury.
Officers have released CCTV images of the teenager moments before she entered the park on Monday.Officers have released CCTV images of the teenager moments before she entered the park on Monday.
A 21-year-old man has been arrested and is being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder.A 21-year-old man has been arrested and is being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder.
Extra officers, including mounted police, are currently on patrol in the area.Extra officers, including mounted police, are currently on patrol in the area.