A MAN was left fighting for his life after being stabbed in the face and stomach.

The man, in his twenties, was attacked in Nevendon Road, Wickford, at about 1.30pm yesterday.

Following the attack, armed officers cordoned off a property as well as nearby woodland.

The man was airlifted to a hospital in London in a critical condition, but police later said that that he was no longer suffering from life-threatening injuries.

Although police could not say exactly where the stabbing occurred, they do not believe that it happened at the property.

No arrests had been made at time of going to press.

A resident in the road, who asked not to be named, said: “I saw the ambulance come down and then the police cars turned up, as well as an unmarked police car. Some of the police had guns.

“I also saw a couple of gentlemen leave the house and talk to the police but they weren’t being restrained. 

“I heard there had been a stabbing of some description but I don’t know any more.”

Another neighbour said: “I was out in the garden at the time when the air ambulance came along and landed in the field.

“We don’t know what happened exactly but we’ve been keeping an eye out all afternoon to see if we could see anything.”

An ambulance service spokesman said: “We were called at 1.30pm to reports of a person with stab wounds in Nevendon Road, Wickford. 

“A rapid response vehicle, ambulance, ambulance officer and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance attended. 

“A man has been flown to a London hospital with suspected face and stomach injuries in a critical condition.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Officers attended and found a man with injuries to his face and stomach. Enquiries are ongoing.” Anyone with information can call Basildon CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously.

Echo: