Broadhurst works as a dive instructor in Temparuli. Photo / Supplied
Broadhurst works as a dive instructor in Temparuli. Photo / Supplied
WARNING: Graphic image
An Australian man is lucky to be alive after his skull was "basically smashed" by a man in a machete attack.
A man has been arrested for allegedly hacking an Australian man's head with a machete in Borneo before saying he'd come back to "finish him off".
Diving instructor Daniel Broadhurst, 46, is in a stable condition after suffering life-threatening injuries in the attack in the village of Temparuli on January 24.
Aussie Dan, as he is locally known, lives with his wife in Temparuli, where he runs several homestays.
He told the ABC he was struck several times in the head and arms by a Filipino expat named Roy, who he accused of trespassing on his property.
"(He) basically smashed my skull," Broadhurst told the ABC from his hospital bed.
"I walked up to my little house there, went inside and there's Roy … I just got so angry because I knew he shouldn't have been there. He was trespassing.
"I proceeded to punch him most vigorously and told him to leave."
Broadhurst said as he turned away to leave, his attacker struck him with the machete from behind before running into the bush.
Broadhurst after the attack. Photo / Supplied
The Australian collapsed and was taken to hospital after a friend found him on the side of the road.
He said he had been in severe pain and suffered hallucinations after the attack.
"Day one, I thought I was an egg," he said.
"It was the most horrid experience I'd ever had. You really just don't know who you are or where you're from."
Broadhurst's doctors have warned he may have suffered permanent damage to his vision.
His wife, Tina Goh, told the ABC she was afraid the attacker would come back after allegedly making threats through a mutual acquaintance.
Dive instructor Daniel Broadhurst and his wife, Tina. Photo / Supplied
"The perpetrator was asking (about) the welfare of Daniel, and when he learnt that Daniel was still alive, he said he will finish him off," she said.
On Thursday police in Borneo said they had arrested the alleged attacker, 36-year-old Filipino man Roy Samad Totong, after police officers on patrol found him hiding in bushes.
"As police approached the man, the latter immediately fled the scene, prompting police to chase after him," Tuaran police chief Deputy Superintendent Dzulbaharin Ismail said, according to the Borneo Post.
