A MAN has told how he is lucky to be alive after being slashed in the face by a crazed knifeman.

The 22-year-old, who does not want to be named, had to have 70 stitches in his chin and four in his hand after being attacked in Norman Road, Canvey.

The young man went to a bungalow in the road following concerns for the welfare of female friend and her five-month old baby, who had been locked inside with her former partner.

He had stamped on her head many times, leaving her with facial injuries.

The attacker, who is still on the loose, then ran out of the bungalow with a kitchen knife and attacked the male victim at about 8am on Monday morning.

The stabbed man said: “I was on the phone to police begging them to get inside and help her. I just wanted to get her and her baby out of there, I was really worried for her. At first I didn’t realise I had been stabbed. As I started running down the road to get help I noticed blood was pouring from my face.

“I can’t really describe the pain.

It was all a bit of a blur.

“The doctors have actually done a really good job of sorting my face out. It doesn’t look as bad as I expected.”

He went to C&J Autos, on Canvey High Street, where mechanics called paramedics for him.

He was taken to Southend Hospital for treatment where medics told him if the blade had gone through an artery he would have died.

The female victim has been taken into a safe house as the attacker has still not been caught by police.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing a man, who appeared agitated, riding a bike close to the scene shortly after the incident.

The suspect has since been spotted in the Southend area, according to his victim.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Inquiries are continuing following an incident in Norman Road, Canvey, in whichaman suffered facial injuries. A woman was also assaulted.”