The Medway backpacker who was injured when he was caught up in an attack which saw his friend stabbed to death has left hospital and has told of his devastation and shock.

Chris Porter, from High Halstow, leapt from the window of the Australian hostel during the frenzied attack and broke his ankles.

Mr Porter had worked as a chef at the village’s Red Dog pub before setting off on his travels earlier this year.

His friend Mia Ayliffe-Chung died in the attack at Shelly’s Backpackers hostel in Home Hill, Queensland, last Tuesday.

According to reports in Australian paper, The Courier Mail, Mr Porter was lying in a bunk bed in the same room as Mia when she was stabbed.

Three more people in the room were attacked, including another British man Tom Jackson who was seriously injured.

Mr Porter, posted to his Facebook page early this morning from the Gold Coast, Queensland.

He posted: “Guys I’m really sorry I haven’t let you guys know that I’m OK my phone has just been bombarded with support and media.

“I was discharged from hospital yesterday morning (Thursday) and caught a late flight back to the coast with my brother.

“I’m truly devastated and heartbroken about what has happened and I’m still in shock.

“Never thought I’d be heading back through that airport without Mia.

"I'm truly devastated and heartbroken about what has happened and I'm still in shock. Never thought I’d be heading back through that airport without Mia" - Chris Porter

“I’d appreciate if everyone just give me some time to myself for a while and i will get through all my inbox gradually.

“RIP Mia you absolute gem. And get well soon Jackson.”

About 30 horrified people witnessed the attack and Mr Porter, 21, was forced to jump from the second floor to save his own life.

His foster mother Kim Porter, who lives in High Halstow, said he had been lucky and that she didn’t know if he would come straight back to England or stay in Australia for a while and confirmed Mia was not his girlfriend and the pair were friends.”

Mr Porter had lived in High Halstow for about six years and went to school in Meopham.

He had set off on his travels in January and had been living in Surfers Paradise in Queensland for months. He had wanted to stay an extra year in the country, so got a job on a local farm to help pay for his stay.

Ms Porter added: “He’s been lucky and was not stabbed and has injured his foot.

“He’s OK, just a bit fragile at the moment. We all are.”

Before setting of on his backpacking adventure, Mr Porter was employed at The Red Dog pub in the village as the chef.

His former colleagues were shocked by the news.

Parish councillor Bill Khatkar, who runs the pub with his partner Gary Eastwood, said: “Chris worked here for about three and a half years and we threw him a big party when he left to go travelling.

“He is a good lad, a lovely guy and would help anyone out. I even said to him if it didn’t work out on his travels he could come back here to the pub and have his job back.

“We hope he is safe and gets better soon.”

Miss Ayliffe-Chung, 21, came from Wirksworth, Derbyshire, and had been travelling for about a year.

Queensland Police confirmed that Smail Ayad, 29, has been charged with her murder as well as two counts of attempted murder, 12 of serious assault and one count of serious animal cruelty.

He appeared before Townsville Magistrates Court yesterday by video link, where he was remanded in custody.