A Year 10 student from Eden Girls’ School intervened after a stabbing on a Walthamstow bus in March

By Victoria Munro

A Walthamstow schoolgirl who rushed to help the victim of a shocking stabbing may have saved his life, according to police.

On 21st March, Maisarah Assam, a Year 10 student from Eden Girls’ School, was riding the 158 bus home when a horrifying attack took place.

A 16-year-old boy was stabbed in the chest, splattering the clothes of those around him with blood and leaving most passengers on the packed bus crying or frozen in shock.

Maisarah went to the victim and comforted him, telling him he would be okay, as she put pressure on his chest to slow his bleeding.

The boy was then taken by London’s Air Ambulance to hospital, where doctors feared he could die for some time before he eventually stabilised.

After interviewing Maisarah the following day, Waltham Forest Police told her school that, without her efforts to help, the boy might well have been killed.

On 6th April, on the last day of Easter term, she was presented with an award for her bravery by borough commander Chief Superintendent Simon Crick.

Vice Principal Rijia Rafiq told the Echo it was “lovely to see Maisarah getting recognition for her bravery”, adding that her parents were invited to the ceremony “so they too could witness the proud moment”.

Unfortunately, Maisarah was not available for interview, as she is busy studying for her GCSE exams.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested shortly after the attack and has been charged with attempted murder and possession of a knife.

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