A YOUNG woman was stabbed in the back in broad daylight close to a busy Southampton train station.

Onlookers rushed to help the 20-year-old victim, who was stabbed at Blechynden Terrace, close to Southampton Central Station yesterday afternoon.

Police have arrested a 33-year-old woman on suspicion of attempted murder shortly after the incident.

It is believed the victim suffered serious but not life threatening injuries, and she was being treated at Southampton General Hospital.

Police remained at the scene for several hours and a path, which is used by cyclists and walkers, was cordoned off as they carried out enquiries.

Ambulance crews and police rushed to the scene shortly after 1pm.

Witnesses said they saw a woman who looked like she had “collapsed” at Southbrook Road, underneath a bridge.

One nearby worker said: “I saw two guys seeing if she was alright, she was leaned up against the wall and had her top ripped.

“I didn’t even know what had happened.

“She looked like someone had tried to rob her.”

One man who helped the woman said she was “shaking and crying” after the attack. The witness did not want to comment further as he was too distressed by what he had seen.

Another eyewitness said: “I saw a woman on the floor, she looked like she had collapsed.

“There was lots of police, they were everywhere.

“People from the train station were looking over as well.”

Manager of Naked Coffee Abbie Short, 22, said: “I saw all the police and the critical ambulance go past. It is worrying that it is so close to here.”

Taxi drivers who park on Southbrook Road and Blechynden Terrace also reported seeing a heavy police presence in the area.

One of them, Ahmed Hussain, told the Echo: “It is very shocking, especially to happen during the day time and it being a lady who was attacked by another lady.”