A FORMER soldier from Kent who returned from Afghanistan unscathed in May is lucky to be alive after a knife attack while he slept in his bed.

Nick Winslade was taken to hospital after the incident at his home in Clyde Street, Sheerness, and underwent two operations to repair a severed artery in his left leg.

The attack occurred after the former Royal Engineer had returned to the house after a night out.

According to his father David, the 22-year-old had to fight for his life. The attacker fled and Mr Winslade attempted to get out of the bedroom, but slipped on the floor, which was covered in blood.

He managed to make his way to the front door where a passing friend saw him and called an ambulance.

Medics battled to stem the blood loss before he was taken to hospital.

His mother Fay Winslade said: “He really is so lucky to be alive, but he will be okay. He was trying to protect himself with a quilt.”

Mr Winslade senior added: “If his friend hadn’t acted so quickly Nick could have died.”

The former pupil at Minster College on Sheppey left the army three months ago after four years’ service as a sapper.

* A 24-year-old Queenborough man was arrested after the incident and released on police bail pending further inquiries. He has to report back to Sittingboroune police station on August 21.