A night of drinking turned into a nightmare for 39-year-old Jiang Jiaji and his friends in the early hours of July 2 along Buyong Road in Orchard. According to Jiang, the group was crossing a traffic junction near the Istana when they were confronted by three men. The situation escalated after a verbal exchange, leading to a knife attack. Jiang suffered a slash to his neck, just below his ear, and a fractured left cheekbone from repeated punches and kicks. He stated that if the neck wound had been about 3cm lower, it could have severed his carotid artery and been fatal. Another friend sustained five cuts to his hands and face.