Horror in the park (From Bucks Free Press)

Horror in the park

8:38am Wednesday 4th August 2004 in News By James Clements

A MAN was arrested on Sunday hours after 25-year-old Ben Cargill was stabbed to death in a busy park.

Police and ambulance crews rushed to Lowndes Park in Chesham.

Mr Cargill of Rose Drive, Chesham, had been stabbed near bushes in the lower part of the park on Sunday at about 4pm.

A band had been playing not far away from where the victim was stabbed. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Park users reported seeing a man running from the area. Hours later a 22-year-old man was arrested by police on suspicion of murder.

The park had been busy with people playing football and enjoying a stroll and rest on one of the hottest days of the year.

Chris Herring, from Hazlemere, was sitting enjoying the day when the stabbing happened.

He said: "It was horrendous.

"There was a lot of blood and the girl was screaming 'he's just stabbed my boyfriend'."

"There were a lot of families with young children just walking about and enjoying the music and the weather.

"A tragic thing like that is certainly not something you would expect to see in those surroundings."

On Monday officers began the task of wading through the details of people in the park at the time who may have seen something.

The knife attack was the second in two weeks in Lowndes Park.

Officers have ruled out a link between the most recent attack and an attack in the park when a man was stabbed in the head by robbers on July 22.

The bottom third of the park was quickly cordoned off and scenes of crime officers carried out a finger-tip examination.

The area was reopened on Monday morning.

Park user Waseem Khan had been playing football in the park when he saw a man running from the area.

He said: "I saw him running in the direction of Bellingdon Road."

The park is covered by CCTV cameras and police were set to review tapes in the search for leads.

Chesham town mayor Cllr Mohammad Bhatti said: "Our thoughts go out to the friends and family of the victim at this sad time."

He added: "It was with great courage that members of the public helped to administer first aid at the scene before the emergency services arrived."

A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Detectives were interviewing the arrested man on Monday.

A post-mortem was carried out on the victim on Monday.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Inspector Phillip Chandler, of High Wycombe CID on 08458 505 505.