A police commissioner has spoken out about the death of a teenager who died from injuries at a North East nature park earlier today.

Kim McGuinness, police and crime commissioner for Northumbria Police, has spoken out about the "devastating" incident involving the death of a 14-year-old boy.

The incident happened last night in Whitehills Nature Park, Gateshead, with police cordoning off the area this morning.

Earlier today, Northumbria Police launched a murder investigation after confirming a teenager died this morning after succumbing to stab wounds, despite the best efforts of medics.

Read more: LIVE: Police cordon off Whitehills Nature Park in Gateshead

The Northern Echo:

Police said they believe the boy sustained these injuries in an assault and have arrested a 14-year-old boy.

Ms Mcguinness said: “It’s devastating that our region has lost another young person to serious violence, and my thoughts are with the victim’s family who will be experiencing unimaginable pain.

“This should never have happened and it now sits with our police to carry out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances that have led to the senseless loss of a young life.

“I recognise the shock and concern that will no doubt be felt across local communities and I know officers will be on hand to offer reassurance.”

The Northern Echo:

The suspect remains in custody, along with a 13-year-old girl arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Emergency services attended the scene  and located the teenager, who had suffered an injury consistent with having been caused by a bladed article.

Earlier today, a North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We received a call at 8.10pm last night to reports of an incident in the Gateshead area.

"We dispatched two specialist paramedics, three crews from our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), and requested support from the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).

"One patient was taken by road to hospital for further treatment."

Read more: Gateshead incident: Boy, 14, dies after assault at Whitehills Nature Park

The Northern Echo:

Northumbria Police said the boy's family are being supported by specially-trained officers at this time.

One resident on the street, who asked not to be named, told the PA news agency: “We saw the lads running around screaming and shouting at about 8pm – it was about four lads that ran past.

“My partner was out having a cigarette and she rang an ambulance for the victim and waited with him until they came.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20221003-0995.

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