The horrified family of a woman left fighting for her life after a machete attack at her home has appealed for help from the public to help find her a new place to live after she is released from hospital.

The younger sister of Kenneita Wade, 33, said the mother of two had sustained “life-changing injuries” after a home invasion in Cedar Hill, Warwick.

Kennae Wade, 24, added: “It has been devastating. Just finding out she is alive and well is a relief.

“But her injuries are life-changing, for her and for us — just knowing that we almost lost her.”

She said her only sister was the mother of a ten-year-old girl and a boy, aged 6, who were not at the house when the attack was launched, but had been left “traumatised”.

Ms Wade added: “When they see her and the condition she’s in, their emotions are going to run.”

A group of friends and family, socialising in the yard of the injured woman’s home on Friday evening, ran for cover after a group of men, said by police to be armed with at least one machete, burst in just before 11pm.

Ms Wade said: “They came out of nowhere. Honestly, there was no time to think of doing anything but run. It was just scary.”

She could not remember how many attackers there were.

Ms Wade said: “I can’t give an exact number — it was a few.”

She added: “It wasn’t even for her. I just think they went after anybody they could get. We were just chilling, just sitting off, and they came out of the blue.

“Everybody scattered, but she tripped up.”

She said her sister, who suffered a serious head injury and lost fingers in the attack, had been moved out of the hospital’s intensive care unit to a general ward over the weekend.

She agreed to let the family set up a fundraiser, potentially on a GoFundMe page, in her name.

Ms Wade added that her sister, a secretary, would be out of work and would need a new place to stay after the attack.

Ms Wade said: “It’s funding for housing, to put a roof over her head. I don’t think it’s safe for her to stay there.

“Considering she will be out of work for Lord knows how long, we need funding for a new place and paying for rent in advance.”

Ms Wade did not know what further medical treatment her sister would need.

She said: “She has had surgery, but I believe she may have to go back for another.”

The family are still trying to come to terms with the attack, which left her sister in critical condition.

But Ms Wade said: “I’m OK now.”

Police at the weekend said the attack was unprovoked and part of a home invasion.

Commissioner of Police Stephen Corbishley said the “dreadful attack” had caused “horrific” injuries.

Antoine Daniels, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, said last night: “As a result of the severity of this brutal attack, a young mother sustained life-altering injuries that are likely to have long-lasting effects on both her and her family.

“There are persons out there within the community who are aware of those responsible for this vicious crime and by working together we can bring the perpetrators to justice and improve the safety of the Bermuda community.”

• Anyone with information that could help police should contact Detective Sergeant Dean Martin on 717-2074 or 247-1739.

The public can also call 211, the main police number 295-0011, or the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number at 800-8477

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