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A man found stabbed to death on the C2C cycle path was a 24-year-old student from Jesmond.

Police were called after the man was found in bushes next to the popular tourist trail with a single knife wound to the chest at around 11am on Thursday.

Officers attempted CPR but he was pronounced dead at the scene close to the Oval in Walker, Newcastle.

Police described the victim as a 6ft tall black male who was bald with a heavy build. He has now been named as Sijabuliso Nkala.

He had been studying at Newcastle University and was living in the Jesmond area of the city.

Detective Superintendent Roger Ford said: “Enquiries are ongoing into this incident and we are appealing for anyone with any information that could help us with our enquiries to get in touch with us as soon as possible.

“We are treating the man’s death as unexplained and an investigation is underway to find out how exactly he has died.

“He was wearing a red cycle style jacket, dark combat style shorts, black gloves and white tennis style shoes. He was riding a Carrera mountain bike.

“Enquiries indicate that the man was on the cycle path from around 9am on Thursday morning and we want to hear from anyone who might have been in the area and who might have seen this man to come forward and speak to us.

“The path is popular with joggers, dog walkers and people on their way to work and I would appeal to anyone who thinks they have any information to contact us as soon as possible.”

The student’s bike was left at the scene.

Mitchell Carr, who was out walking with his dog with his daughter, Kennedy, when he came across the crime scene said: “It’s just shocking, I walk down here every other day it’s normally quite a peaceful area. It’s deserted half the time and I always feel safe here. I wouldn’t bring the bairns down here if I didn’t.”

The secluded spot where the man was found is surrounded by dense undergrowth and accessible only by the narrow cycle and footpaths that weave their was through overgrown vegetation.

The nearest homes are up a steep bank from the river.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 ext 69191 quoting 404 100714.