A fourteen-year-old boy has been arrested for murder after a young father was stabbed to death and two others were injured in an attack outside the Royal British Legion. 

Police officers

A fourteen-year-old boy has been arrested for murder after a young father was stabbed to death and two others were injured in an attack outside the Royal British Legion. 

Police officers who were called to reports of an assault in Lymington, Hampshire yesterday at 11.55pm found two men and a woman, all 23, with stab wounds.

One man, now identified locally as Max Maguire, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, the force has said. 

The other man suffered serious injuries and is being treated at Southampton General Hospital.

The woman received superficial chest wounds which are not life-threatening and she was being treated at hospital but is now recovering at home. 

Max Maguire, 23, has been identified as the victim of a fatal stabbing in Lymington on Friday

Pictured: Flowers at the scene outside the Royal British Legion on High Street in Lymington, Hampshire, where two men and a woman were found with stab wounds on Friday evening

A fourteen-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man was stabbed to death and two others were injured in an attack outside the Royal British Legion. Pictured: Forensic officers at the scene of the stabbing on Lymington High Street yesterday morning

The 14-year-old boy is among four people, all from Lymington, who have been arrested on suspicion of murder, a Hampshire Police spokesman said.

The others, who are men aged 29, 20 and 18, all currently remain in custody. 

Detective chief inspector Dave Storey, who is leading the investigation, said: 'This is a serious incident and our thoughts remain with the family of the young man who was killed.

'We believe this incident occurred following a verbal dispute at the Royal British Legion and we have arrested four people as part of our enquiries.

'Please be reassured that officers remain on scene and there will be increased patrols in the area.

'If you have any concerns, or any information about this incident, please do not hesitate to approach officers.'

Reports suggest the incident took place after a group had been asked to leave the venue which was hosting a ska dance event on Friday night.

Witnesses described one man running back in bleeding heavily from stab wounds while another was found on the ground outside, according to the Sun.

One witness told the newspaper: 'It's like the lads came out of nowhere, bleeding heavily in pools of their own blood and one sadly dying in front of our eyes.

'I was trying to soothe one of the men by holding their hand and stroking their head, reassuring them that everything would be ok.

'But it was clear they were in a bad way. It was horrible to witness.'

Paying tribute to Max on social media, friends described him as 'an amazing young man' who was 'always polite and well mannered'.

A 23-year-old woman received knife wounds to her chest which are not life-threatening

Pictured: Police arrive at the scene in Lymington, Hampshire, on Friday night

Confirming the news, his sister Blaise said: 'My beautiful hilarious kind hearted brother has been stolen from me. Life will never be the same.

'I will miss you every day and love you forever.'

The woman believed to be the female victim said she is recovering at home.

Sharing a link to the police statement regarding the incident, she wrote: 'Unfortunately life is so so cruel. One of my life long best friends won’t be coming home to his family while another is still having care in hospital.

'I was very lucky my injuries weren’t worse. I’m home and I’m so so grateful I can be here.' 

Residents of Lymington and traders at its market spoke of their shock at the stabbing in what is usually a sleepy town.

Mark Edwards, who has been running Edwards Clothing on Lymington High Street for 33 years, said he was concerned how 'fashionable' it has become to carry a knife.

The 60 year old, from nearby Barton-on-Sea, Hants, said: 'There has never been anything like this before here.

'I worry about what society has become. In the old days if you had a problem with somebody you might get a little punch up but you wouldn't stab them.

'It seems it's almost become fashionable to carry a knife and stab somebody.'

Police officers who were called to reports of an assault in Lymington, Hampshire on Friday night at 11.55pm found two men and a woman with stab wounds at the scene (pictured)

Another trader said he had heard rumours of a fight breaking out in the Royal British Legion.

He said: 'Apparently they were all carrying knives [...] It is surprising because you don't think you'd get that down here.

'It's not particularly rowdy in the Royal British Legion because it's all old boys so it's all very strange.'

Ali Gul, 41, who owns Cell Zone on Lymington High Street, said: 'You don't expect it in a small town like this, maybe in a big city but not here. It's strange.

'It's a nice town to visit and you don't expect stuff like this.'

A visitor to the market said: 'I'm shocked. Lymington has never had anything like this before. It's just scary to think something like that could happen.

'One of the people arrested was just 14 which is crazy.'