British backpacker stabs man attempting to rape her at Sydney hostel
Witnesses reported hearing screams coming from the boarding house, followed by a woman running out covered in blood
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A British woman has stabbed a man who slit her throat while attempting to rape her, it has been reported.
The woman, 23, is understood to have been backpacking in Sydney when she was attacked by a fellow resident at a boarding house. The man, a 27-year-old Mexican national, allegedly forced his way into the woman’s room and made sexual advances towards her. When she refused, he allegedly attempted to sexually assault her, before leaving the room and returning with a knife.
He allegedly stabbed the woman a number of times, including in the throat, The BBC reports. In the ensuing struggle, the woman reportedly succeeded in getting hold of the knife and stabbing the attacker.
Witnesses reported hearing screams coming from the boarding house on Cleveland Street, Fedfern, followed by the woman running out, covered in blood. The man allegedly attempted to flee the scene but was arrested two blocks away.
Speaking to local media, Dept Insp Despa Fitzgerald said: “Obviously her survival instincts kicked in and she was able to remove herself from the situation. It’s just lucky [the knife] didn’t hit a major artery in those alleged attacks, and for him as well.
“Our understanding is they weren’t well known, they were possibly acquaintances but we’re still trying to work that out.”
The woman is in hospital awaiting surgery and the man is also receiving medical treatment, under the watch of an armed guard around his hospital bed.