A neighbour has spoken about the moment she discovered an elderly woman with stab wounds on her doorstep while her sister lay injured next door.

Teresa Fergusson, 52, was the first to call 999 after the two sisters in their 70s were seriously injured in Fostall Road, Faversham.

They have been named locally as Maureen Burchett and her sister Lily, 75.

Teresa says it is a “miracle” they survived the savage attack which is now believed to have happened more than 24 hours before anyone was able to raise the alarm.

“I found Maureen on the floor of her house, lying unconscious but breathing. There was blood everywhere. It was carnage" - Teresa Fergusson

Teresa, a coastguard, said: “I had a knock on the door on Sunday afternoon about 4.15pm.

“I didn’t really think anything of it until I opened the door to see Lily stooped over her walking stick, saying ‘help me’.

“I found Maureen on the floor of her house, lying unconscious but breathing.

“There was blood everywhere. It was carnage.

“Her eyes and face were so swollen, she was almost unrecognisable.

“My husband sat with her until the ambulance arrived.

“I went straight back to see Lily. She could hardly speak or move, but mumbled what had happened, saying their attacker had grabbed her handbag and gone berserk. I was trying to keep her awake because I thought she might pass out.

“It was then when she said her stomach hurt and I saw the stab wound and called 999 again to call for an air ambulance.

“They had been left for dead. It’s amazing they are still alive.”

The sisters were treated by air ambulance medics, who landed in a helicopter in a nearby park in Barnfield Road at around 5pm on Sunday.

The road was shut off by police while officers carried out their investigations and forensics remained at the scene on Monday and Tuesday.

One sister was flown to the major trauma centre at St George’s Hospital in London and the other was taken by road to the major trauma centre at King’s College Hospital in London.

Both women were still in a serious condition.

Teresa continued: “Lily said he had tried to stab her in the neck and there was a huge gash in her head. She was black and blue.

“If she hadn’t knocked on my door, I really don’t know what would’ve happened.

“It must’ve been the shock or the adrenaline that meant they didn’t bleed to death. Being so old and fragile, it’s a miracle that they are still here.”

It is believed that Maureen has lived in Fostall Road for many years but Lily had moved in just six months ago from London.

Maureen is married to Henry Burchett who lives in a care home in the town.

Teresa added: “Don’t get me wrong, Maureen’s a tough cookie, she’s a Londoner, but it’s amazing those two ladies are still alive.

“I always said to them come round if you ever need anything, and I’m glad they did that day.”

A 29-year-old man from Sittingbourne was arrested on Sunday evening in Medway.

Lincoln Payne, of no fixed address, was yesterday charged with attempted murder, robbery and theft, and is due before Maidstone magistrates later today.

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