A soldier is battling for his life after he was reportedly attacked by a knife-wielding man outside a British Army base. The horrifying incident allegedly took place outside Brompton Barracks between Chatham and Gillingham in Kent around 6pm today, with the assailant reportedly armed with two knives.
Eyewitnesses recounted hearing a ‘blood-curdling scream’ during the alleged assault, with one claiming the ‘knife-man ran his finger across the blade and licked it in front of them’. A shocked onlooker said the knife-man leapt off a moped and dashed towards the soldier.
The masked attacker then began repeatedly stabbing the soldier. According to The Sun, the attacker donned a ski mask and a NASA bomber jacket.
A woman, believed to be the victim’s wife, then rushed outside and tried to halt the knife-man by attempting to pull him off the soldier. An eyewitness, who rushed to aid the soldier, said the victim was left with wounds “all over his body.”
The witness added: “Part of the soldier’s face was hanging off.”
Another witness 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 confirmed they were called to a serious assault in Gillingham, adding the victim was a man in his 40s.
He was later transported to hospital where his condition was described as serious. A police spokesperson said following the attack: “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.”
Police have warned locals to expect a cordon at the scene of the attack, reports the Mirror. Officers are conducting investigations to determine what transpired and to understand the events leading up to the incident.
A source has confirmed that the man stabbed is a serving British soldier.
