A British Army solider is fighting for his life after the Army confirmed one of their own was “repeatedly stabbed” near the Brompton Barracks in Kent.
In a horror turn of events the Army confirmed a soldier had been left with serious injuries following a stabbing near the barracks between Chatham and Gillingham at around 6pm on Tuesday (July 23).
“We’re very sorry to confirm that a soldier has sustained serious injuries in an attack in Chatham, Kent. Our thoughts are with the soldier and their family and we request that their privacy is respected at this difficult time,” an Army spokesperson said in a statement.
They added: “We will continue to work closely with Kent Police to understand what happened and support the investigation. Anyone who witnessed the attack or who has any relevant information should contact Kent Police.”
The chilling assault took place as the soldier, reportedly in his 40s, was walking alone outside the barracks. The assailant, allegedly wielding two knives, launched the attack in broad daylight, reports the Mirror.
Eyewitnesses recounted the terrifying moment with one describing a “blood-curdling scream” during the attack while another claimed they saw the knife-wielding attacker “run his finger across the blade before licking it off”.
It’s reported the alleged attacker leapt from a moped and charged at the unsuspecting soldier. A 24-year-old man has now been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The masked culprit, described as wearing a ski mask and a NASA bomber jacket, then proceeded to stab the soldier multiple times in a frenzied attack, as per The Sun.
A woman believed to be the soldier’s wife reportedly ran out in a desperate attempt to halt the attacker, trying to pull him off her husband. The assaulted soldier, clad in his uniform, is said to have struggled to his feet and staggered towards his home 50 yards from the barracks.
But his assailant allegedly pursued him, launching another violent assault. A horrified onlooker who rushed to help said the victim suffered wounds “all over his body”, adding: “Part of the soldier’s face was hanging off.”
(Image: PA)
Another eyewitness told Mail Online: “The guy was looking for a soldier to attack. When the guy’s wife came out and started trying to pull the guy off he didn’t even try to hurt her. He only had his sights set on hurting a British soldier.”
Kent Police said they were called to a serious assault in Gillingham and that the victim was a man in his 40s. His condition on arrival at the hospital was reported as serious.
A spokesperson following the attack said: “Officers attended the scene and at approximately 6.20pm a 24-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. A cordon is currently in place around the scene of the incident and enquiries to establish the circumstances are ongoing.”
The police have said locals can anticipate a cordon at the scene as officers conduct investigations.
According to the police, they received a call around 5.55pm on Tuesday about a serious assault in Sally Port Gardens, Gillingham. The victim sustained injuries consistent with stab wounds and was airlifted to hospital for treatment.
The attack happened near Brompton Barracks, the headquarters of the British Army’s 1 Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment.
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