West Lothian police launch hunt for man in connection with attempted 'chainsaw' murder

A manhunt has been launched in relation to the incident.

A heavy police presence including a helicopter was spotted at an address in West Lothian last night following an attempted murder.

Officers were dealing with the incident in a residential street in Rowan Place, Blackburn.

The Edinburgh Evening News has seen a grisly picture of a local man with a huge gash in his arm, in what residents are calling a 'chainsaw' attack.

Several police cars and a helicopter were spotted on the scene. Picture: Contributed

Readers reported seeing several police cars and an ambulance in the area.

DCI Bryan Burns, from Dalkeith CID, said: “Around 10.10pm on Wednesday, 6 May, 2020, Police were called to the Rowan Place area of Blackburn, following the attempted murder of a 35-year-old man. He was taken by ambulance to St John’s Hospital in Livingston, where he is being treated for serious injuries. A 37-year-old man also received minor injuries.

“Local officers and a number of specialist resources remain in the area and extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace a 23-year-old man in connection with this incident. This was a targeted attack and there is not believed to be a threat to the wider community.

“Anyone with information which could assist the investigation is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 4547 of 6 May.”