A 17-year-old boy remains in a London hospital after a stabbing in Gillingham.

The teenager suffered a wound to the abdomen after the incident at Prince Arthur Park this afternoon. There were conflicting reports about the seriousness of the victim's condition which at one stage was said by police to be "serious".

Video: The scene of the alleged stabbing

A young dad from the area has told how he shielded his two children, aged two and four, from the horror of the incident.

The 24-year-old man, who did not wish to be named, saw the group of youths in the park chatting at around 2.45pm today.

He said: "All of a sudden I heard one of them screaming. I think he was screaming in agony.

"Then they all separated the lad that was injured was holding his stomach and ran towards the High Street, where he collapsed.

"My main concern was to get to my step-mum's car and take my children home."

"All of a sudden I heard one of them screaming. I think he was screaming in agony" - dad who was in the park

The full-time dad said he takes his children to the park regularly but had never seen anything like this.

He described seeing four boys going over to the dome in the park, playing football.

When five other boys went to talk to them, it's alleged they got into an argument.

The attackers are believed to have fled down nearby Saunders Street, while the victim is thought to have run off towards the High Street, where he collapsed.

He was earlier seen covered in blood holding his stomach and lifting his t-shirt, exposing a wound.

A heavy police presence has been seen in the area, including forensics officers.

Another witness said: "The court was cordoned off and a navy rucksack and plastic bag was left there as though somebody had left in a hurry."

The police helicopter has been involved in the search for the culprits, and the teen was taken to King's College Hospital in London.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 1.47pm on Wednesday 27 July to a report of an assault in Gillingham High Street.

"Officers attended along with South East Coast Ambulance Service and it is believed a teenage boy has been taken to a London hospital with injuries consistent of a stab wound.

"The injuries are not believed to be serious. Officers are currently at Prince Arthur Park in Gillingham which has been closed between Medway Street and Mill Road while investigations continue.

"The police helicopter is also assisting officers and there are no arrests at this time."