Christina Edkins named as Birmingham stab victim

BIRMINGHAM police have arrested a 22-year-old man over the stabbing to death early today of a 16-year-old school girl on the top deck of a bus in Birmingham.

Christina Edkins of Ladywood, Birmingham, was attacked just before 7.40 am as the Number 9 bus it pulled up to a stop on the Hagley Road near Fiveways in the city centre.

After the perpetrator leapt off the bus and ran away, fellow passengers tried to save the 16-year-old but she died before paramedics arrived.

"It appears to have been quite a sporadic and very quick attack," said Detective superintendent Richard Baker. "This is a tragic case and the victim's family are devastated."

Christina was on her way to Leasowes High School, The Times reports. Headmaster Neil Shaw said: "Christina was a bright and popular student much loved by staff and students alike. We are deeply saddened."

Witnesses and concerned residents took to social media sites to express their shock this morning. Darren Bent, who said his wife was on the bus, tweeted: "Can't believe some guy has just stabbed and killed a school girl right in front of my missus on the number nine bus on her way to work and she had to give CPR. the guy did it as bus was about to stop and ran off."

Danni Greening tweeted: "The stabbing of the 16-year-old girl makes me so ashamed to be a Brummie." ·