A relative of a butcher stabbed to death in his shop told how colleagues and shoppers tried desperately to save him.

Dad-of-three Parvaiz Iqbal, 39, died after being knifed in the fridge of his halal butcher's shop in Rotherham, South Yorkshire yesterday.

One of Mr Iqbal's employees, who tried to help at the scene, was also stabbed and suffered a serious stomach wound.

Horrified witnesses reported seeing a crazed man brandishing a 12-inch weapon soaked in blood.

Police later arrested a 27-year-old on suspicion of murder near a Tesco store.

Councillor Mahroof Hussain, who is the cousin of Mr Iqbal's mother, said the shop was particularly busy yesterday ahead of the Eid celebrations.

Murder: Forensic teams and police at scene

He said: "Parvaiz went into the fridge and the guy went after him with a knife.

"Obviously something was happening and other workers came in to prevent it. One of them got stabbed in the stomach.

"Another guy working upstairs heard the commotion and the man with the knife went outside and started smashing the place up, then ran off, smashing car windows as he went.

"People came in to the shop to help. The man ran off into town with a knife - obviously being a butchers, there's lots of knives there.

"Why it happened, I don't know. I have spoken to people there and everything seemed OK, there was no shouting or arguing.

"Parvaiz was a normal guy, doing his normal business, preparing for a really busy period. I just hope the co-worker recovers and can give a statement to the police.

"The worker who was upstairs is absolutely devastated - he witnessed it and with the people who came in, they stayed with him (Parvaiz) and tried to help.

"They were not successful and we think he died at the scene. The family is absolutely devastated.

"He is married with three kids, one at primary school, one at secondary school and one at college. This is supposed to be Eid, a day of celebration.

"Unfortunately, the family has suffered a tragedy and forever more, when this day comes around, they will remember it not for a celebration, but for a tragedy."

Scene: Police seal off street in Rotherham

Mr Hussain, a Labour councillor and magistrate, said Mr Iqbal was popular with his customers.

"Everybody loved him," he said. "Old ladies would come in and he would have a laugh with everyone.

"This has come out of the blue."

Last night relatives and friends gathered at the mosque, just yards away from the scene, to pay their respects.

Ishy Akhtar wrote on Facebook: “RIP uncle. Can’t believe you’ve gone.”

Shehzaib Ahmed added: “RIP Uncle Parvaiz, you treated me like a son and I treated you as a father.”

South Yorkshire Police were due to carry out a post mortem examination later.

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