A man who was killed in a stabbing has been named by colleagues as a bus driver and a "true gentleman".

Police were called to Northwold Road, Stoke Newington, to reports of a stabbing on Tuesday (July 30) at 11.05pm.

Emergency services found a man in his 50s, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to a local bus driver on X, the man was called Derek Thomas and he worked in a Northumberland Park bus garage in Tottenham, run by Go-Ahead London.

Tom Joyner, managing director for Go-London said: “It is with great sadness that our colleague Derek Thomas, a driver for Go-Ahead London was fatally injured in an isolated incident while on his way home from work.

"The entire team at Go-Ahead London is saddened by this incident and the tragic loss of one of their colleagues, and our thoughts are with the family of the colleague who has lost their life. We will ensure our teams and the family of our colleague receive any support required from Go-Ahead London during this difficult time.

"We are assisting the Police with their investigation into the incident."

His next of kin have been informed and a post mortem examination will be scheduled in due course.

There have been no arrests and enquires continue.

Stoke Newington Common has been closed off since the attack, with road closures in place both ways between Rectory Road and Northwold Road.

Bus routes – including the 73, 106, 276, 292 and UL69 – have been diverted.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, who is responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: “I understand the shock and concern this incident will cause, even more so given the recent and tragic murder of Pharrell Garcia in the borough last week.

"However, I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working diligently to identify whoever is responsible for this violent act.

“Our most immediate thoughts are clearly with the family and friends of the man killed last night.

“Whilst these two dreadful murders happened in the same area of Hackney there is no suggestion of a link between the two. A person has been charged with Pharrell’s murder and they are awaiting trial.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or contact @MetCC on X, quoting CAD 8517/30Jul.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.