The 28-year-old female staff worker was attacked shortly before 1.30pm today (Picture: Luke R Chandley)

A woman has died after she was attacked in a TUI travel agents in Merseyside this afternoon.

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The 28-year-old victim was targeted on Saturday at the TUI branch in Southport, Merseyside, where it is understood she worked.

Police were called to the scene in Chapel Street at 1.25pm and the woman was taken to hospital, where she later died from her injuries.

A 30-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of the woman.


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The incident is believed to be domestic related and the woman’s next of kin have been informed, police said.

A witness had described seeing a woman being stretchered away in an ambulance with her face covered in blood and claimed her throat had been slit.

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It is understood shoppers were told to stay inside as police descended.



A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said: ‘Merseyside Police can confirm a murder investigation has been launched following an incident in Southport today, Saturday 13th January.

‘Officers were contacted at 1.25pm following reports that a 28-year-old woman had been injured at the Tui travel agents on Chapel Street. The woman was taken to hospital where she subsequently died from her injuries.

‘The woman’s next of kin have been informed.

‘A 30-year-old man from the Southport area has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently being held in custody.

TUI confirmed that a female staff member was involved in an incident in the shop shortly before 1.30pm today. (Picture: Southport Visitor/MEN)

‘It is believed that the incident was domestic-related.’

Delivery driver Rich Lawson, 27, was dropping off a package at the nearby Vision Express shop when he said he was ushered in and locked inside by staff.

Rich said: ‘When I got there they had locked all the doors. They let me in and locked it behind me and would not let me out.

‘I think the incident was in TUI two doors down. I saw them bring a girl out on a stretcher and putting her into an ambulance.

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A cordon remains in place around the building. (Picture: Southport Visitor/MEN)

‘She was covered up but I could see blood on her face. There was a lot of blood and she looked like she was unconscious. They rushed her into the ambulance.

‘I would say she was in her mid 20s. A couple of people have said she was being held hostage.

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‘I overheard a lady wearing a TUI uniform on the phone. She was shaking and said her throat was slit but whether that’s true I don’t know.

‘I was in there for about 10 minutes and when I went back to my van and drove past the police riot van was up against the door and it looked like they were bringing a man out of the shop.’

A spokesman for TUI told Metro.co.uk: ‘We regret to confirm that a female member of staff at our Southport TUI retail store tragically died in an incident today.

(Picture: Southport Visiter/MEN)

‘We send our deepest sympathies to the friends and family of the staff member involved.

‘We’re doing everything possible to assist the local police with their investigation and support our customers and staff at this difficult time.’



Detectives are appealing for anyone with information to contact Merseyside Police on 101 quoting log 470 of 13th January or the Crimestoppers line anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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