Hero saves boy 'chopped in face' by machete gang

A MAN has described the terrifying moment he ran to save a 'young boy's' life during a machete attack on an estate in broad daylight.

- IMOGEN CLYDE-SMITH

The man, who asked not to be named, said he saw the teenager sitting on a bench in the middle of the estate on Haymarket Street, Ardwick, at about 4pm on Friday. The sun was out and children were playing in the yard.

Moments later a car pulled up and a gang of 'boys' jumped out with 'big machetes' and launched a vicious attack.

The man said the gang 'chopped' the boy's face and arm.

He instinctively ran to save him.

Recalling that moment, he said: "After they stabbed him I went outside and grabbed him and dragged him away.

"As they [the gang] had seen what I was doing they realised the public was getting involved."

Neighbours began to come out of their homes after watching the horror unfold just yards from their doorsteps. The man said a child around four or five years old playing outside witnessed the horror.

"They were going to kill him," he continued, adding: "I grabbed him.

"He was in no condition to walk or anything. He was collapsing."