Shocked eye-witnesses thought at first that a teenager stabbed to death in Woolwich had collapsed due to coronavirus.

One woman thought a group been struck down by the deadly virus when she saw seven ambulances arriving outside her home at around 3.30pm yesterday.

It is believed the 18-year-old victim was on a motorbike and involved in an altercation at a nearby crossroads, before he was found with multiple stab wounds near Woolwich Common.

Emergency services fought to save the victim but he died at the scene.

Resident Maria, 20, who lives in a nearby housing development, said: "We saw that there were a lot of ambulances so we knew something had happened. It looked really serious.

"We had the speculation that it was coronavirus, perhaps people were ill. My brother and sister are quite small so they were suggesting maybe there was an outbreak so they sent seven ambulances.

"It looked really serious, but it was hard to say what was happening. They blocked the road.

"I know some people went over to the field to try to help. Everybody went on a dog walk. But I don't know who they were."

Another woman within the building said: "All my husband said was that the traffic had stopped and we could see the 122 bus from the window.

"We thought it was an accident, we didn't realise it was a stabbing."

A woman believed to be the victim's aunt laid red roses in the place where he died today, with a handwritten note.

The note read: "To my loving nephew. Words can't describe how much I miss you already.

"You were funny, lovely little man. You were too good to die."

A Police Community Support Officer was stood by the police tape, tied onto trees in front of a small wooded area.

Police believe they know the identity of the deceased and have informed next of kin. A post-mortem will be held in due course.

A Met Police spokesman said: "Officers attended with the London Ambulance Service and found the victim, believed to be aged 18, in the Woolwich Common area.

"Despite the efforts of passers-by, police and paramedics, the man died at the scene.

"The Specialist Crime Command have been informed and urgent enquiries are underway to establish what happened.

"A crime scene and road closures are in place.

"Reducing violent crime on the streets of London continues to be the Met's top priority.

"We are working tirelessly - day and night - to take weapons off the street, engage and reassure the public, and keep our communities safe.

"The public also play a huge role. We need to hear from anyone who has information about a crime, or about someone they suspect to be carrying a weapon.

Police said it is too early for them to confirm the attacker's motives.

A Met Police spokesman said: "In terms of any background or motive, it is too early for us to say."