A WOMAN was left lying in a pool of blood after being stabbed in front of her young child.

The 33-year-old was injured inside a flat in Osier Drive, Noak Bridge, but managed to escape before collapsing in the street.

She was taken to Basildon Hospital in a critical condition before being transferred to a London hospital.

Police are treating the attack as a domestic incident and have arrested a 29-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder.

Rosie Vincent, 44, of Osier Drive, arrived at nearby shops to see the woman in a pool of blood.

She said: “There was blood everywhere.

“There were loads of kids around, who had come to use the shop, so I was trying to get them out of the way and sending them home so they didn’t have to see that.

“The woman wasn’t conscious.

“The ambulance crew and police were trying to talk to her and asking her name, but she was just lying there.”

The drama unfolded at around 7.10pm last Thursday when a row broke out between the woman and a man at the flat. Her child is thought to have been present.

She managed to get out and into the courtyard before collapsing.

On Friday afternoon, the entrance to the woman’s block remained cordoned off while police stood guard.

Det Chief Insp Mark Hall, of the Serious and Organised Crime Directorate, said: “I’m keen to hear from anyone who was in Osier Drive and may have seen or heard the assault, or who may have relevant information.

“The incident happened close to shops, so it’s possible people who were going about their daily business may have witnessed something which could help our investigation.”

The woman suffered serious head and facial injuries.

The alleged attacker was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and taken into police custody.

Anyone with information can contact the Brentwood Major Crime Team on 101 or e-mail scdappeals@essex.

pnn.police.uk Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.