Thursday, December 23 2004 22:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: One person was killed and five others were seriously injured when an armed man went on a stabbing rampage in North London two-hour period, a Scotland Yard spokesman said.

The suspect is described as being of either Turkish or middle Eastern appearance and aged about 30, he said.

The spate of drive-by attacks began when the attacker, in a red car, pulled up outside the busy commuter train station in Edmonton this morning and knifed a 29-year-old man, the spokesman said.

Over the next hour, five others including a woman were attacked as the man drove around surrounding suburbs, choosing his victims apparently at random. The spokesman said, "We believe these incidents are linked. A man has been arrested in Haringey borough in connection with the stabbings."

A 30-year-old man was stabbed in Gladstone Avenue, Wood Green. Shortly thereafter in Compton Crescent, Tottenham, a 30-year-old woman was knifed. Five minutes later a man, also aged 30 was attacked.

A 40-year-old man was stabbed in Advent Way, Edmonton thereafter. He later died in hospital.

A major police hunt is under way for the knifeman. A police helicopter was involved in the manhunt.