Camden News - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS Published: 4 December 2008
The police cordon where Mr McLean was attacked last week
‘Miracle recovery’ of stab victim celebrated
Police seek witnesses to attack on BBC composer
FRIENDS of a BBC composer who was stabbed in the chest in an unprovoked knife attack in Chalk Farm last Wednesday have described his recovery as a miracle after he survived a life-saving operation. Daniel McLean, 31, a bass player in the band The Voxx, was left near to death after a blade just missed his heart in a 2am robbery-gone-wrong near to the Barfly nightclub in Chalk Farm Road.
A police spokeswoman again appealed for witnesses last night (Wednesday) and confirmed that a weapon had been found.
There have been no arrests.
The Camden Town-based musician, who has played with Babyshambles and The Subways, had been walking with a female friend in Ferdinand Street when he was attacked from behind by a man demanding money.
As he struggled with the mugger on the ground, his companion noticed a knife and offered the man £10 to end the attack.
But her appeals failed and Mr McLean was stabbed.
Mr McLean’s family, from Ireland, flew to join him at the Royal London hospital where he needed high-risk surgery. He was released on Tuesday and is recuperating with family outside London.
A Facebook page has been set up in his honour, celebrating his “miraculous” survival.
Friend James McAllister said: “He’s made a remarkable recovery. When I saw him he was a bit groggy but you would never have known what he’d been through.”
Detectives are seeking a 5’9” white man, aged between 20 and 25, with a shaven or bald head, who was wearing dark blue jeans at the time of the attack.
Anyone with information should call 020 74041212 or crimestoppers on 0800 555111.