Witness describes bloodbath after man's hand 'cut off' in Essex street attack

Essex police said the victim, who is recovering in hospital with from serious knife wounds and a “life-changing condition”, had been on a night out

Officers recovered a large knife from the scene. (Getty Images)

Detectives have launched an investigation after a man in his twenties reportedly had “his hand cut off” during what may have been a targeted street attack.

Essex police said the victim, who is recovering in hospital with from serious knife wounds and a “life changing condition”, had been on a night out in the town on Friday.

e left with a group of friends but was then allegedly attacked in the street by a group of three or four men.

Sky News reported that the man’s hand was cut off during the attack.

Officers who attended the scene recovered a large knife and one of the suspects was arrested 10 minutes later following a short foot chase by a police community support officer (PCSO).

A 30-year-old man from Grays is currently being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder.

A spokeswoman for Essex police added: “Officers do not believe that this was a random incident and it may have been a targeted attack.

“Enquiries are continuing to look for further suspects. It is believed they left the area in a black Audi A8. The Audi was found on fire in Horseshoe Close, Waltham Abbey at around 6am yesterday morning (Saturday, November 7). No one was inside but the vehicle was fire damaged.”

One witness who arrived at the scene moments after the attack told the Mail Online that the group of men who attacked the victim were wearing masks to hide their faces.

“From what I got, three men jumped out rung up to him with knifes and choppers - and someone said a crowbar as well - and just attacked him,' said the witness, who wishes to remain anonymous.

He added: "I saw him on the floor holding the back of his neck with four stab marks in his back and a few gashes and blood running down the payment like a stream…he was whining and coughing trying to catch his breath.

"I don’t know how he lived, I have never seen so much blood in my life."