Man suffers life-changing injuries after being attacked with an axe in London

| Live News reporter Published August 7, 2026 5:20pm Updated August 7, 2026 5:20pm An attempted murder investigation has been launched after a west London axe attack (Picture: Getty Images) A man in his 40s was found seriously wounded after an axe attack in west London. Police are investigating the incident from August 4, which took place at around 10.20pm near Clitheroe’s Lock on the Brentford stretch of the Grand Union Canal. Emergency services were called out on reports of a man being assaulted with an axe close to Lock 99, between Transport Avenue and Boston Manor Park. Upon arriving at Transport Avenue, they found him severely injured. He was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital, where he remains. His injuries were later assessed to be life-changing, but the extent of them remains unknown. Police found a man with severe injuries at Grand Union Canal (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) The canal and towpath have remained while officers continue their inquiry and the Met forensics team gathers evidence, with boats being turned away. Police have since launched an attempted murder investigation and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information on the violent attack to come forward to help them identify the perpetrator. No arrests have yet been made. Residents have already reported hearing screaming and shouting at the time of the incident. Members of the public can call 101, quoting reference 8737/04AUG, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, with any information. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. For more stories like this, check our news page. Latest London news Arrow MORE: Influencer who killed millionaire uncle by ramming him into a tree is jailed Arrow MORE: Serial sex predator Simon Levy guilty of murdering two women and raping a third Arrow MORE: Pregnant shopworker punched and thrown to floor by robbers posing as customers Breaking News Never miss the biggest stories with breaking news alerts in your inbox.