Police officers performed "life-saving" first aid on a teenager who had been "viciously" stabbed in Watford town centre.
Detective Constable Jon Holmes says the 19-year-old is "lucky to be alive" after he suffered a punctured lung on the afternoon of February 7 2020.
He was stabbed in the chest outside McDonald's and Costa Coffee in the busy high street by 22-year-old O'Dean Boothe.
At St Albans Crown Court on Monday (January 17), Boothe, of Tottenham, was jailed for four years and four months after being found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent.
Related: Man jailed after stabbing in Watford High Street
After being stabbed, the 19-year-old, who was heavily bleeding, managed to make his way up Queens Road to Costcutter where he sought help inside the Costcutter convenience store before collapsing.
Hertfordshire Constabulary says two of its officers were able to administer life-saving first aid on the victim before paramedics arrived and he was flown to a hospital in London for treatment for a punctured lung.
Despite being stabbed in the chest, the teenager was discharged from hospital a day later, with Judge Michael Simon remarking in court that Boothe was "fortunate" the injury was not as "serious" as first thought.
DC Holmes added: "It is no exaggeration when I say that the victim is lucky to be alive today, and we could have easily been investigating a murder."
Following Boothe's sentencing on Monday, Watford mayor Peter Taylor paid tribute to the emergency services for ensuring the high street attack was not fatal.
He added: "There is no place in our town for knife crime. I am grateful to the police for their work on this case and for securing this sentence.
"Fortunately, incidents such as these are rare in our community. We must ensure people are educated about knife crime and that we do all we can to prevent more incidents in Watford.
"We will continue to work closely with the police, supporting the fantastic work of the Gangs and Schools team. We also want to make sure that the community are aware of the support services that are available.
"If you are concerned about someone you know carrying a knife, visit www.knifefree.co.uk for help and support."
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