Berwick soldier is stabbed in the neck

David Ferguson, 26, was knifed at least three times in an attack shortly after 6am on Saturday at the barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire.

Two men, aged 19 and 22, have been arrested on suspicion of his attempted murder.

An air ambulance crew landed near the guardroom after the alarm was raised and Royal Military Police and paramedics rushed to the barracks where the soldier was suffering from a series of knife wounds to the back of his neck.

He was rushed to the major trauma centre at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, London, for treatment to his wounds and incredibly was recovering so well by Sunday that he was conscious and able to send Facebook messages to his friends telling what had happened to him.

He told concerned friends and family, many of whom live in his native Berwick: “ Got stabbed in the back of the heed (sic).

“They said it was deep, bloody lucky or what and patched up now.

“Surgery went well apparently see u all soon hope be out tomoz (sic).

One of his pals responded saying: “Lucky boy Fergy good too see your alright.”

Friends and family were shocked and said: “So sorry to hear you’ve been hurt! Hope you soon feel better.”

Others in true Army style banter. One, Tom Nelson, said;” Have you been backchatting bigger boys again” and another said: “Lucky you have nothing there to hurt hope your ok mate.”

It was not believed that the stabbing was connected with the arrest of a 24-year-old soldier from the same Army base on Tuesday evening, following the tragic deaths of two teenage girl joggers who were knocked down and killed on the main road outside the barracks.

The soldier driver of a tuned-up Ford Focus car was arrested by police on suspicion of drink-driving, causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs. Police released him on bail and he was allowed to return to the barracks.

Sixteen-year-old Stacey Burrows and Lucy Pygott, aged 17 years, both died while taking part in a run organised by their atheltics club which is based at the Aldershot barracks military stadium. Their deaths sent shock waves through the Army base which is kn own as the Home of the British Army.

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: “Hampshire Constabulary is investigating an assault at Mons Barracks, Princes Avenue, Aldershot just after 6.15am on Saturday, November 12.

“A 26-year-old man is being treated for a serious injury at St George’s Hospital in London.

“A 22-year-old man and a 19-year-old man, both from Aldershot, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. They have been bailed pending further inquiries until January next year.

“We did consider whether this was linked to events that happened earlier on in the week but there is no evidence to suggest that they are linked in any way.

“The arrested men are not soldiers and how they came to be in the barracks is forming part of the investigation.”

A spokesman for the British Army said: “We can confirm a soldier was the victim of an assault and that he is undergoing treatment at hospital. Hampshire Constabulary are now investigating.”