A teenager was stabbed to death after being chased through the streets by youths “armed with machetes”.

The 19-year-old victim is believed to have been knifed multiple times after being pursued by three others carrying weapons.

Police and paramedics rushed to the Monks Hill estate in Selsdon in Croydon and he was then airlifted to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Witnesses described the commotion just before the victim, named locally as Andre, was stabbed around 7.40pm last night.

A 38-year-old said: “I saw Andre running for his life and three others were coming up behind him.

“They were just chasing him and not shouting. They chased him behind a row of shops. I called the police because I knew if they were to get to him he’d be done.

“They were armed with machetes. The knives were about a foot long. I was told Andre was stabbed 20 times.

“He used to live around here but moved away. He was back for a visit with his family yesterday.”

Friends said the victim was an amateur rapper under the name DRose who features in several homemade videos on YouTube.

Friend Rebecca Shaw, 18, said: “His mother came running down the road. He was on the floor screaming out for his mother.

“I heard the screams and lots of people came running to him. They tried to give him CPR and put pressure on the wounds.

“He moved a way for a while but came back a year ago to live.”

Another friend of the victim said: “Andre was the nicest boy and would do anything to help you.

“He helped when boys came onto the estate to cause trouble and he was a peacemaker.

“I think he moved away to make a fresh start and not to bring trouble to his mother’s door.

“I think he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Dozens more paid tribute to the victim on Twitter.

A friend of the victim, Tony Brady, wrote: “Today I got the news that I lost one of my best friends. I’m sorry you had to go so soon, I’ll cherish some great memories.”

Another friend added: “Found out one of my high school friends was stabbed, it just goes to show how surprising and harsh life can be. #RIPAndre taken too soon.”

He is the eighth teenager stabbed to death in the capital this year.

A Met spokesman said two men, both 19, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody.

Officers from the Homicide and Major Crime Command investigate.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.