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A man has been seriously injured in a stabbing at Thorpe Park following an altercation between two groups.

The man in his 20s was slashed in his stomach on a footbridge near the exit of the resort in Surrey shortly before 17:00 BST.

The theme park said on-site medical staff were at the scene "within minutes".

Surrey Police said two men in their 20s had been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Visitors were locked down inside the park while police attended, with pictures on social media showing crowds building up as the bridge was cordoned off.

Police said two groups of people were involved in an altercation on the bridge close to the park's exit.

One man was treated for a slash wound to his stomach and is in hospital in a serious condition, the force added.

'Excellent track record'

Det Insp Andy Greaves appealed for witnesses and said officers were tracing "all those believed to have been involved".

"I'm keen to hear from anyone who saw what happened or who has video footage of this assault," he said.

"The two groups of people were close to the exit inside the park on the bridge when the assault took place."

South East Coast Ambulance Service said it was called to the park at about 16:50 following reports of a person with an abdominal injury.

Paramedics treated one person who was taken to a London hospital.

Thorpe Park said its on-site medical staff provided emergency first aid and said it was helping police with inquiries.

"The health, safety and security of our guests is our primary objective. We have an excellent security track record and have never had any incidents of this kind in over 40 years," a spokesman said.

Thorpe Park reopened on 4 July after being shut due to the coronavirus pandemic.