A man is lucky to be alive after a knife-wielding thug slashed his neck in a horrific attack outside a takeaway in Dagenham, police said.
The 36-year-old victim was apparently buying dinner at the fast-food shop on Parsloes Avenue when a man began rowing with him.
As they moved outside the eatery, a fight broke out between the pair in which the victim was slashed in the neck, cheek and stabbed in his chest, police said.
Police and paramedics were called to the scene just before 8pm on Thursday. The man was taken to a hospital in east London for serious injuries which were later described as "life-changing."
Detectives investigating the attack said today it was "sheer luck" the victim survived as they appealed for witnesses to speak to them.
They want to speak to a black man, aged about 30 years old, in connection with the incident. He is described as 5'10" and of average build. He was wearing a grey t-shirt, blue jeans and white trainers, police said.
Detective Constable Nicola Dunn, who is leading the investigation for Barking and Dagenham CID, said: "This is a horrific attack which has resulted in the victim receiving life changing injuries. He has a three inch slash wound to his neck, a large deep knife wound to his left cheek running practically from ear to ear and a puncture wound to the right chest just below the shoulder."
She continued: “He is currently in hospital in a high dependency unit and as a result of the knife wound to his neck has undergone a tracheotomy procedure. I urge anyone who witnessed this incident on Thursday evening to get in contact with us so we can catch the suspect as quickly as possible. It’s just sheer luck that the victim did not die."
Anyone with information should contact Barking and Dagenham CID on 101 quoting reference CRIS 5113106/15 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
