Police ScotlandA man told how he prayed after coming to the aid of a dying schoolboy who had been stabbed at a railway station.
Fergus McClintock, 19, recalled Justin McLaughlin was “not in a good way” following the incident on the afternoon of October 1,6 2021.
The 14-year-old was eventually rushed to hospital, but never recovered having been stabbed in the heart.
Daniel Haig, 18, is on trial accused of murdering Justin at Glasgow’s High Street train station.
He denies the charge, but it is agreed between prosecutors and his legal team that he delivered the blow which caused his death.
Mr McClintock was at the station that day waiting to catch a train to Edinburgh.
He soon became aware of an initial “verbal altercation” between what he described as “two groups” with one larger than the other.
On Tuesday, the witness told the High Court in Glasgow: “I think it was lot of aggressive shouting in a Glaswegian accent.
“I moved further down the platform, rolling my eyes, thinking I do not want to get caught up or (be) particularly nearby folk shouting at each other.”
Mr McClintock claimed he went on to see “punches” being thrown.
He then recalled one person jumping onto the tracks and “re-emerged with a bladed weapon”. He said it was similar to a kitchen knife.
Mr McClintock said he never witnessed anyone being attacked, but went on to see the same individual soon go past him and out the station.
He then heard “screaming” and believed something had happened on the platform.
The witness: “The large group were running around flustered.
“There was one individual standing there, sagging over, not looking in a good way at all.
“It seemed obvious that he had been the victim of a stabbing.”
Mr McClintock immediately took off his jumper to help stem “profuse” bleeding from a wound.
He told jurors the boy – who went “paler than pale” – was able to say his name was Justin.
Mr McClintock: “In the meantime, I was calling on his friends to call an ambulance.”
He remembered Justin talking about getting up and wanting to go to the toilet.
The witness: “Emergency services arrived and police immediately took over first aid.
“I thought it was as good a time as any to say a quick prayer – then they (the police) moved us down the platform.”
Jurors earlier heard Justin was treated at the station before being taken to the city’s Royal Hospital for Children, but did not survive.
The trial, before judge Lord Clark, continues.
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