TRUE BRAVERY
Hero ‘stabbed by sword attacker’ while saving daughter, 4, shares hospital bed pic & thanks medics for keeping him alive
Dad opens up about his recovery from horrific attack
THE hero dad who protected his young daughter when they woke to find the alleged sword "killer" in their home has spoken out for the first time.
Henry De Los Rios Polania, 35, was said to have been slashed in the arm and body when a man randomly burst into their Hainault home on Tuesday morning.
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The brave dad, 35, shielded his four-year-old daughter, who was sleeping in the same room at the time.
Henry was one of four innocent people injured in the rampage, which also claimed the life of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin.
Henry's sister hailed him a hero for protecting his family.
And now the dad has spoken out from his hospital bed - thanking emergency services for risking their lives on that horror morning, too.
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Henry posted on Instagram: "I would like to start by thanking all the nurses, paramedics, and the doctors on the NHS for keeping me alive.
"To the great work of the police for catching this ... man and for risking their lives.
"To my friends and family, to all of you that helped me so I didn't bleed out and keep me alive.
"Thank you God for giving me the strength to protect my family, I am blessed.
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"I'm recovering, I have a long journey ahead. But I'm very positive that this trauma will end soon."
Henry's sister Jessica De Los Rios, 31, yesterday said: "To us, he's our hero. He protected them - my niece and my sister-in-law.
"They were just literally sleeping, opened their eyes to see a man with a big machete sword.
"He felt helpless in the moment but to us he is our hero. It could have been extremely worse."
Jessica revealed her brother is "traumatised" by the horror and that the rest of the family have been left unable to sleep, adding: "He's very devastated to believe something like this could happen."
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She continued: "It's a very long process to get his hand recovered, due to this wound.
"We just have faith, but what worries me the most is how traumatised they are.
"They haven't been able to sleep.
"It's unbelievable. These kind of things you see on the news and you never think it could happen to you.
"Unfortunately I don't think they will want to go back into the house and live there again.
"It's been extremely hard to take in such a horrific situation."
'KILLER' IN COURT
Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with murder.
The 36-year-old is also accused of two counts of attempted murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article.
The court heard the dual Spanish-Brazilian national allegedly crashed his van then slashed at innocent Donato Iwule - threatening to kill him.
He then forced entry into Henry's home as the family slept, it was said.
The court heard how after Monzo allegedly attacked Henry, he went for young Daniel.
He ran up behind the 14-year-old and stabbed him in the neck before slashing his stomach as the schoolboy lay on ground, it is claimed.
When police arrived, Monzo allegedly jumped from a bush and attacked a female cop before allegedly injuring a second officer.
No family should have to go through what we are experiencing today.
Tragic Daniel's family
Monzo was remanded into custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on Friday.
The alleged killer describes himself as a "mystic and a musician" on his social media.
He has also previously shared footage of him sparring in a boxing gym in London.
One neighbour in Beckton, East London, today described Monzo as a "ghost" who lived alone and had no friends.
The horror unfolded on Tuesday just before 7am when a van smashed into a house in Laing Close.
The suspect was allegedly seen prowling the streets armed with a huge sword.
Neighbours said they shouted at Daniel as the attacker approached but because he was wearing headphones he didn't hear them.
'GAPING WOUND IN OUR FAMILY'
As he turned around he was slashed in the face by the sword, and "didn't stand a chance," according to one witness.
Around 22 minutes later, the suspect was Tasered then arrested before being put under police guard in hospital.
Police confirmed two officers suffered significant injuries - including the female officer who almost lost a hand - while two members of the public were also treated in hospital.
The Met ruled out terrorism and said they did not believe the attack was targeted.
Tributes have flooded in for Daniel, who was the youngest of three children from a local, church-going Nigerian family.
His mum Grace Anjorin, 49, is a science teacher, while dad Dr Ebenezer Anjorin, 59, works as a health and safety consultant.
Daniel's heartbroken family paid tribute to a "wonderful child" on Wednesday, saying his loss "leaves a gaping wound in the family".
There’s no way to articulate the pain we are all feeling losing one of our own.
Femi Koleoso
They told : "No family should have to go through what we are experiencing today. Any family will understand it's an absolute tragedy."
A friend of the schoolboy described him as a "very good person" who excelled in maths, loved football and supported Arsenal.
Musician Femi Koleoso said: "Words don’t even begin to describe the pain we have all felt over the last few days.
"Daniel was one of the children in the youth group I lead, Jubilee Youth, part of Jubilee Church London.
"There’s no way to articulate the pain we are all feeling losing one of our own.
"Daniel is a boy we all love and will deeply miss. Our prayers and support are with the family at this time.
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"In times like this, we lean on God and our family and be there for each other."
A page launched on behalf of Daniel's older brother has raised more than £29,000.
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