Observer's Phil recovering after stabbing

Phil has thanked everyone who has sent him messages of support

Phil is now back from South Africa and recovering at his home, and typically is already back to work despite his harrowing ordeal.

“I would love to offer huge thanks to all my friends and contacts in Chichester who have sent me such lovely messages - particularly Chichester artist Catherine Barnes, who sent a package into the office marked ‘urgent medical supplies’,” said entertainments editor Phil, 52.

“It was actually her gorgeous flapjack. Incredibly kind of her. It beats all the painkillers and is just the best thing I have ever tasted.

Phil required a number of stitches to his leg and suffered two broken ribs in the attack

“I am walking a bit, limping heavily and fairly uncomfortable, but definitely working because I fear I would sit and mope otherwise. Plus there is no cricket on television at the moment!”

Phil was stabbed twice in the leg by an attacker after watching England play South Africa in Cape Town.

He was repeatedly kicked on the ground, suffering two broken ribs and a large haematoma on his leg.

He has tracked down a pizza delivery man who came to his aid, and been asked by the South African minister of tourism to send a report.

Phil said: “I keep wondering why the guy who stabbed me in the leg twice didn’t stab me a third time somewhere more damaging when I put up some resistance, not realising I had actually been stabbed.

“It was only when I saw my leg and the blood gushing from it that I realised I had been stabbed and let go of the camera!

“But I dread to think what might have happened if a passing pizza delivery guy hadn’t turned round his car and whisked me off to hospital.”

He added: “I am torn between thinking I was incredibly unlucky and astonishingly lucky.

“The pizza guy was called Steven. I have written to his bosses asking them to present him with a special award, and I have always asked the minster of tourism to recognise him similarly as a very fine and decent citizen of Cape Town.”

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