Detectives have said a stabbing victim would be dead if it had not been for the two coats he was wearing when he was attacked.
The 27-year-old had a five-inch blade plunged into his intestine during an argument with two men in Kiln Shaw, Laindon. His mobile phone was also stolen. The knifing led to the Laindon man having emergency surgery and he is still heavily sedated in hospital.
However, Det Insp Trevor Roe, of Basildon police, said the attack would have been fatal if the victim had not been wearing a leather jacket and another coat.
Officers are still waiting for him to fully regain consciousness before he is interviewed. Det Insp Roe said: "This was a very serious attack. The man is very lucky to have survived."
Published Thursday April 15, 2004
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