STUDENTS and staff rushed to help a teenager in the churchyard of St Mary on Paddington Green after he was stabbed in a lunchtime attack.

Police said Khaled Saleh, 17, died at the scene at 2.15pm on Monday despite the efforts of paramedics from London Ambulance Service and air ambulance.

They said his next of kin were being supported by specially trained officers.

The City of London College said: “We are shocked and saddened that a young man has lost his life. While the victim was not a student at the college, he was a young man with his future ahead of him and that future has now been taken away.

“The incident did not take place on the college estate. St Mary churchyard is near to our Paddington Green campus and is frequented by staff and students throughout the day, many of whom were witnesses of the incident. The Met have already commended the staff and students who helped the victim.”

Cities of London and Westminster MP Nickie Aiken said: “Very sorry to learn the police are investigating a murder in Paddington. My thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim.”

• Police said a 16-year-old had been charged with murder and was due to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Thursday, having been arrested on Wednesday. They said two other teenage boys were also arrested on suspicion of murder, one now remaining in custody and the other released on bail. They added that enquiries were ongoing.