A young man has told how he feared for his life when a thug plunged a machete deep into his arm in a terrifying late-night attack.

Jamal Bascome believes if he had not thrown his arm up to protect his face he could have been killed in the assault in Pembroke, in the early hours of Tuesday.

The 21-year-old is recovering in hospital after the two-foot blade cut through his muscle and deep into the bone of his left forearm. He fears the injury will jeopardise his career as a carpenter.

Mr. Bascome said he had been on his way to fetch a snack from Point Mart supermarket, in St. John's Road, when the attacker approached him from behind at about 3 a.m.

He said the offender wrestled him to the ground before thrusting the machete towards his face in a stabbing movement.

The victim blocked the weapon with his left arm and then passed out as blood poured from the wound, which was about four inches long.

When he regained consciousness, Mr. Bascome sat on a wall — with his shirt and pants saturated in blood — and waited for an ambulance to arrive.

Later on Tuesday, he underwent surgery at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, where he has remained throughout the week.

It is understood the attacker ran away after the incident, while a group of bystanders called the emergency services and looked after Mr. Bascome until paramedics and Police arrived.

The attack was the second reported machete incident in that area within about half an hour, after another victim claimed he had been forced to jump into the sea to escape a man with a machete.

Police have been investigating whether the incidents are linked.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr. Bascome said: "It was terrifying. I was just hoping I would make it out of there alive.

"I heard something coming from behind. Then someone was grappling me from the waist. I was tackled to the ground.

"He got the machete and he chopped down with it. I believe he was aiming for my face. I put up my arm in front of my face. I got chopped in the forearm but it could have been even worse if I hadn't put my arm in the way.

"Then I blacked out for a few moments, and when I woke up I was sitting on a wall and the Police and ambulance were there. I really couldn't believe what had happened."

Mr. Bascome, who lives nearby in Pembroke, said the offender did not rob anything and that there appeared to be no motive for the assault.

"It's bizarre," he said. "Maybe he had drunk a lot of alcohol.

"This kind of thing is not what you expect to happen when you go out to get something to eat. Not at all.

"In future, maybe I will be more aware of my surroundings. I kind of heard something behind me but I really didn't pay it much attention."

Doctors have stitched up the gash on Mr. Bascome's arm but warned him his hand will be weak for six months. He will start therapy on it in two weeks.

Mr. Bascome added: "It will affect what I do. I like being a carpenter. I'll see how the therapy goes but I will most probably have to look for a new career."

In the earlier incident on Tuesday, Police saw a 22-year-old Hamilton Parish man emerge soaking wet from the beach area near to Sunset Pass, Pembroke, at about 2.40 a.m.

He told officers he had been chased by someone with a machete but had made good his escape by jumping into the water.

Officers said they searched the man and he was later released.

Police last night said they were still investigating both incidents but could not confirm whether they were linked.

They reissued their appeal for witnesses to either incident to call Hamilton Criminal Investigation Unit on 295-0011. Alternatively, call the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 1-800-623-8477.