‘I could only find teddy bears and pillows to save my family from sword attack’
Injured Hainault attack hero tells of ‘miracle’ that spared him
A FATHER has revealed it is a “miracle” his family were not all killed after a sword-wielding attacker stormed into their home.
Henry De Los Rios Polania, his wife and four-year-old daughter were fast asleep in the same room when the man broke into their home at 7am.
The 35-year-old suffered serious hand injuries as he fought off the intruder.
He had desperately looked for something to use to fend the man off, but could only find “pillows and teddy bears”.
Four other people were attacked in Hainault, north east London, including schoolboy Daniel Anjorin, 14, who died of his injuries.
Mr De Los Rios Polania said he and his wife had fallen asleep watching TV and opened their eyes the following morning to find a man with a sword standing in front of them.
He said: “I thought I was going to die, even my wife and child. We thought we were going to die that morning.
“I believe a miracle happened in that room. I protected my family. I will do everything for my family.”
On Wednesday, eight days after the terrifying ordeal, the father was released from hospital.
Yesterday, he was resting at his home, where he faces a lengthy rehabilitation battle. Doctors have warned him he will need to undergo further surgery to his extensive injuries. His wife and child were not injured, but he fears his daughter will suffer from the trauma she experienced and could have flashbacks in the future.
He added: “I just hope she doesn’t remember anything.”
Mr De Los Rios Polania underwent almost 10 hours of surgery to reconstruct a tendon and veins, as surgeons battled to save his hand.
He thanked paramedics, police and doctors who “came forward” to help, and said they had all done a “great job”. He added he wanted to “thank God for keeping me alive”.
Marcus Arduini Monzo, 36, has been charged with Daniel’s murder, the attempted murder of pedestrian Donato Iwule and PC Yasmin Margaret Mechem-Whitfield, and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr De Los Rios Polania and Inspector Moloy Elec Campbell.
He is also charged with aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article.
The Old Bailey was told on Monday how schoolboy Daniel was “virtually decapitated” in the alleged attack.
Mr De Los Rios Polania said: “I feel so sorry for his family. When I got close to the ambulance, I saw him on the floor. It shouldn’t have happened.”
On Saturday, Daniel’s parents paid tribute to their “loved and amazing son”. They said: “We as a family are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Daniel.
“It is difficult for us at this time to process what has happened to him and that he will never come home.”