Police took 8 minutes to find stab wound on teen after suspect misled them

Police officers responding to the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak took approximately eight minutes to discover a fatal stab wound, according to a newly released police bodycam transcript. The delay occurred because the suspect, Vickrum Singh Digwa, provided a false account of the incident.

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You've been stabbed? Whereabouts? Don't think you have, mate.

Digwa, a convicted murderer, misled officers by claiming Nowak had attacked him in a racially motivated incident, causing police to initially treat the victim as the suspect. Bodycam footage captured Nowak repeatedly stating he had been stabbed and was struggling to breathe. One officer's response was dismissive: "You've been stabbed? Whereabouts? Don't think you have, mate."

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Yes, he's got a stab... there's a mark there.

The critical moment came more than seven minutes into the encounter when officers cut away Nowak's clothing. A female officer then identified a stab wound. "Yes, he's got a stab... there's a mark there," she said. The male officer immediately grasped the severity, responding, "That makes it worse. He's got a stab... I'm pushing on a f****** stab wound." Paramedics were informed upon their arrival that a stab wound had been discovered in the victim's chest.

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That makes it worse. He's got a stab... I'm pushing on a f****** stab wound.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary stated that evidence from the trial indicated nothing could have been done to save Nowak due to extensive internal bleeding. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the police response, and a jury inquest scheduled for next year will examine whether any police actions or omissions contributed to Nowak's death.

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We just discovered a stab wound in his chest.