See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy ELEANOR MANN Published: 00:19 BST, 30 August 2026 | Updated: 00:19 BST, 30 August 2026
A 13-year-old boy was left seriously injured after being stabbed in a Taco Bell restaurant in Rochdale on Saturday evening. Witnesses dining at the time of the incident described the terrifying moment 25 youths carrying knives allegedly swarmed the crew member guarding the door at around 6pm and broke inside. The group allegedly attacked the young teenager inside the bathroom and stabbed him before members of the public stepped in to try and save him. One diner inside the fast food chain on Riverside Walk helped to save the teenager by grabbing napkins and putting pressure on the wound, as horrified onlookers were evacuated. The boy was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Emergency services arrived at the scene and an ambulance rushed the boy to hospital. Police then evacuated members of the public out of the restaurant before closing it off. The Taco Bell store remains shut while enquiries are ongoing. Greater Manchester Police said two teenage boys have since been arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of a bladed article. David Lane was dining with his wife and children at the restaurant when the 'hectic scene' unfolded. Police closed off the Taco Bell restaurant in Riverside Walk, Rochdale, as enquiries remain ongoing Witnesses described a group of around 25 youths rushing into the restaurant before the alleged stabbingHe said he asked staff to lock the door of the restaurant at around 5.50pm after becoming worried for his family's safety when a group of teenagers entered and began fighting. About ten minutes later, a crew member guarding the entrance was pushed by one of the kids. Around 20 to 25 youths then rushed in, some allegedly carrying knives, according to Mr Lane. He told the Manchester Evening News that his son had been in the toilet when the youths entered the restaurant, but fortunately left moments before the group made their way to the bathroom. The father said: 'I heard a load of crying and screaming. That's when the lad got stabbed. 'I grabbed a load of napkins and put pressure on the wound. It looked like he lost a lot of blood. It was a hectic scene.'He added: 'My wife was looking after our children at the time. It was horrific. If it wasn't for my actions, I think he would have died. My children shouldn't have to see that.' A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: 'We were called to reports of a stabbing at 6.09pm on Riverside Walk. A boy, 13, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.'Two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of a bladed article. Enquiries are ongoing.'
