French tourist stabbed in Valley attack speaks: ‘I’m lucky to be alive’
A French backpacker says he’s lucky to be alive after surviving three stab wounds in an alleged late-night Valley attack.
Police & Courts
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A French tourist who was left fighting for life after being stabbed in the Fortitude Valley has been discharged from hospital and says he’s lucky to be alive.
Lilian Makusa, 21, from Lille north of Paris, was trying to break up a violent fight when he was attacked outside the Prince Consort Hotel about 3.30am on Thursday July 24, according to police.
He was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a serious but stable condition after allegedly being struck twice in the chest and once in the shoulder.
Speaking to the Courier Mail after being discharged on Monday Mr Makusa said he is feeling a lot better.
“I feel a bit of pain but I can walk all by myself,” he said.
“Sometimes it is difficult to do some movements if I go fast so I have to walk slowly.”
Mr Makusa said he didn’t feel anything when he was stabbed.
“I was like what just happened and then I felt the blood and I thought you have to stay calm,” he said.
“I tried not to think that I was going to die. I didn’t want to think this. My friends helped me a lot, all the people on the street helped me. I wanted to stay calm and not look.
“I feel very lucky.”
Mr Makusa said his family in France were all worried about him when it happened.
“I told my family I was okay,” he said.
“All my family were a bit shocked at the start, now they know I feel better.”
“I never expected anything like this in Brisbane. It’s one of my favourite cities. I like the people generally, it’s a good city for travelling and working.
He had been in Brisbane for four months, after travelling to Australia eight months ago and was scheduled to leave on Saturday to head to Bali but has now had to delay his trip so he can have a check up.
“Before the injury. I was going to leave next Saturday but I need to stay longer to go to the hospital. I will now stay one week longer,” he said.
“After Bali I will go to France.”
Jackson Martin and Jack David Pereira, both 18, appeared at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday, charged over the stabbing.
Pereira is charged with one count each of acts intended to maim/disfigure/disable, assault occasioning bodily harm while armed/in company, going armed so as to cause fear, and possession of a knife in a public place.
He made no application for bail and his matter is adjourned to August 25.
Martin is charged with a single count of acts intended to maim/disfigure/disable. He was granted bail and his matter was adjourned to August 18.
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