A man who was stabbed to death on a train in Surrey was with his 14-year-old son at the time, police have said.

The 51-year-old victim suffered multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead in the carriage.

Detectives continue to search for the murder suspect, who has been described as a black man in his 20s or 30s, of slim build with a beard, about six feet tall, and dressed all in black with white trainers.

The suspect and victim are not believed to have known each other.

Image: Forensics officers have been working at the murder scene

The fatal stabbing would have been "horrific and hugely traumatic" for the teenager to have witnessed, Superintendent Paul Langley from British Transport Police (BTP) said.


"We are providing him with as much support as possible," he added.

Matt Phelps, 35, who works in West Clandon, said officers told him they were looking for a man with a beard and short hair, dressed in a T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms, and strikingly bright white trainers.

There have been a number of sightings in the area, Supt Langley said, but no arrests so far.

Members of the public are advised not to approach the suspect.

I was on this train, how those guards and especially that train driver went into action was nothing short of incredible. Not sure if it’s appropriate to say thank you, but I do hope everyone is ok after today’s event — Natalie Jones (@NatalieLJones_) January 4, 2019

Officers think the victim boarded the train at about 1pm on Friday at London Road station in Guildford, as did the suspect, while emergency services were called to Horsley station at 1.15pm.

Aerial footage from the Sky News helicopter showed forensics officers on board the train at Horsley.

Railway services were badly disrupted, but South Western Railway tweeted shortly after 8pm that "trains are now able to call at Clandon and Horsley".

Image: Police at Horsley Station. Pic: Eagle Radio

The reaction of the guards and driver to the stabbing had been "incredible", passenger Natalie Jones said on Twitter.

She wrote: "I was on this train - how those guards and especially that train driver went into action was nothing short of incredible. Not sure if it's appropriate to say thank you, but I do hope everyone is OK after today's event."

A 16-year-old student living in Clandon, Oliver Thompson, said it was "definitely unnerving to think there is a murderer maybe somewhere in the village".

He added that he had been stopped by police at about 2.30pm and asked if he had seen a "man running from the station".

He described Clandon as a "quiet area that you wouldn't associate with crime like this".

Sky News reporter Helen-Ann Smith, who is in Clandon, said there were "at least six or seven police vehicles" there, plus police dogs and a drone.

Detective Superintendent Gary Richardson from BTP said: "Passengers and members of the public can expect to see an increased presence by BTP and Surrey Police officers at Horsley and Clandon as our enquiries continue."

:: Anyone who sees someone they think may be the suspect is advised to call 999 immediately.

:: Anybody who witnessed the incident or has information can contact BTP by sending a text to 61016. Alternatively they can call 0800 40 50 40 - quoting reference 210 of 04/01/19. Or they can ring Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.