Surrey train stabbing victim, 51, was killed a day before his birthday

THE heartbroken family of a dad stabbed to death in front of his 14-year-old son on a Surrey train have spoken of their agony over the 'horrific and pointless attack'.

Lee Pomeroy, 51, from Guildford, was taking his son on a day trip to the capital when he was savagely attacked at around 1.15pm yesterday.

The stabbing followed a 'vicious' three-minute row which spilled through two carriages on the train between Guildford and London shortly after the pair got on board.

The attacker then fled the London-bound service at the next stop, Clandon, before the train was brought to a halt by cops and paramedics at Horsley.

The killing sparked a manhunt for the on-the-run suspect as a police helicopter and drones and dozens of officers scoured the area and locals were warned not to approach the man.

The suspected knifeman and a 27-year-old woman were arrested in a raid at a property on Willbury Road, Farnham, Surrey, shortly before 6am this morning.

Mr Pomeroy's family today paid tribute to the dad-of-one on what would have been his 52nd birthday.

A statement said: "Lee took his son on a trip to London hoping to spend some quality time with him which was cut short by horrific and pointless attack.

"Lee would have had his birthday today but did not get to see his presents. He was an honest, bright person, who loved music very much, he knew history and art and he was a bachelor of science in Maths.

"He was devoted family man and did everything for his family. He was an honourable man and would always help somebody who was in trouble. He was a loving husband and father, he will be deeply missed by all his family."

Officers swooped to arrest the suspect in Farnham - around 15 miles away from the scene of the attack - as police continue to appeal for witnesses.

A post-mortem examination is set to take place early next week.

Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan said: "We now know from enquiries we've been doing overnight and from witnesses that the two men were involved in a verbal discussion, that discussion lasted three to four minutes.

"It moved through one carriage from where they first boarded into another carriage, and that argument escalated to the violent attack that sadly resulted in the death."

Stunned witnesses on the 12.58pm departure from Guildford said the mayhem came following a row which may have been about the pair 'bumping into each other'.

Mr Pomeroy and the attacker boarded the train at 1.01pm at London Road station, near Guildford.

Punches are said to have been thrown at first before the attacker plunged the blade into his Mr Pomeroy during the bloodbath.

After fleeing the station the killer would have been left with just two options – heading on foot towards the village of Send or towards Clandon.

Oliver Thompson, a 16-year-old student living in Clandon, said he was stopped by police in the area at roughly 2.30pm and asked if he had seen a "man running from the station".

"It comes as a big surprise as Clandon is a quiet area that you wouldn't associate with crime like this," he said.

"It is definitely unnerving to think there is a murderer maybe somewhere in the village."

Another passenger said: "There was a lot of blood everywhere in the carriage. I don't think the poor chap stood a chance.

"The police who were here first started to give him CPR but it was apparently too late to save him and he died while the train was in the station."

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Blackburn added police are continuing to appeal to passengers for information.

He said: “We are continuing our appeal for information and I would urge anyone who was on board the train to contact us as soon as possible. Even if you did not witness the assault, it is vitally important we speak with you.

"Likewise, if you have any dashcam footage of the Clandon area after 1pm yesterday afternoon, we would like to hear from you.”