A STABBING on a train travelling from Chingford to Highams Park has led to an urgent appeal for witnesses.

A 19-year-old man was attacked just seconds after the 4.13pm train pulled out of Chingford station on Tuesday, January 20.

The stabbing was the result of an argument that had started between two young men on Chingford platform.

The victim was stabbed twice in the leg and was taken by ambulance to Whipps Cross University Hospital where he remained overnight.

The attacker made off on a distinctive orange mountain bike after the train pulled into Highams Park station.

A 16-year-old schoolgirl who was with her 12-year-old brother on the train was among the 20-30 members of the public questioned after the stabbing.

She said: "The door was about to shut to let the train go and a lady ran down the platform shouting that a man had been stabbed.

"We saw a man holding his leg and speaking on his phone. He seemed to have his leg hurt."

Another onlooker, who was on the platform at the time of the incident, said there was a fight between two men and one had been stabbed in the leg several times.

He said: "Two guys were fighting in one of the carriages. I think one of them ran off out of the station."

Det Con Basil Dias appealed for witnesses to come forward: "Someone must have seen the orange mountain bike. All we know at this stage is that there had been an altercation between the two men on the platform at Chingford.

"There were other people on that train so someone must have remembered seeing the argument. We are asking those people to come forward."

The attacker is described as black, aged about 23. He was 5ft 10in tall. He wore dark trousers and a cream and blue jumper.

Highams Park station was closed until just before 7.30pm while police forensics teams searched the area.

Witnesses should contact DC Dias on 7397 0523.