"Thank you for keeping me alive'...sword terror dad's message to medics

A HERO dad who protected his wife and young daughter from a swordsman after he broke into their bedroom as they slept has thanked the emergency services for saving his life.

- Paul Jeeves

Henry De Los Rios Polania, 35, was slashed in the arm and body during a series of attacks in Hainault, East London, on Tuesday morning, which left a teenage boy dead.

IT engineer Henry managed to shield his four-year-old daughter from the intruder, who yelled at the family asking if they believed in God.

Yesterday Henry posted a photo to social media from his hospital bed, where he is recovering from his terrifying ordeal.

He wrote: "I would like to start by thanking all the nurses, paramedics, and the doctors on the NHS for keeping me alive."

He went on to thank the police "for risking their lives", as well as "friends and family and all those who made sure I did not bleed out".

Trauma