Detectives investigating a stabbing at Gillingham railway station are looking through CCTV footage as they attempt to piece together a motive for the attack.

The victim, believed to be aged 17 and from Dartford, was left critically ill when he suffered two stab wounds to the chest and stomach after a fight on board a London-bound train last night.

The fight then spilled out into the booking hall and an alleyway opposite the station forecourt.

The teenager was given life-saving treatment by ambulance crews outside the station before being taken to Medway Maritime Hospital.

He is understood to be recovering well, having been taken off a ventilator this morning.

DS Leigh Marshall, from British Transport Police, could not confirm whether or not the stabbing was racially-motivated or if it followed a dispute between gangs.

"we're treating this attack extremely seriously and we'll use all of our resources to track down the people responsible…” – ds leigh marshall

It is not clear if the attack was planned in advance.

"We haven't been able to speak to the victim yet as he's been in an intensive care unit," DS Marshall said.

"Until we're able to interview he him, we won't know the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

"We're viewing CCTV footage and we have several eyewitness accounts. Officers will be speaking them today to obtain statements, which should give us a clearer picture of what happened."

Officers are particularly interested in the sighting of three black men who are believed to have taken a taxi from Gillingham to south east London shortly after the stabbing.

They want to hear from any taxi driver or company in the Medway area who might know more about such a journey.

The stabbing happened on board the 6.24pm Gillingham to London Charing Cross service, which was held at the station while police attended the scene.

Police at Gillingham station after a teen was stabbed. Picture: Rob Wain

Train services were cancelled into the early hours of this morning and witnesses said nearby Balmoral Road was taped off by police while forensic investigations were carried out.

DS Marshall said: "Incidents of this nature are very rare and the railway is safe to travel on. With the Olympics starting in the next few days, we already have extra officers out on regular patrols.

"We're treating this attack extremely seriously and we'll use all of our resources to track down the people responsible."

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040, quoting incident number B3/LSA of July 25, 2012.

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