Scots soldier is attacked in his sleep by hyena

A SCOTS soldier stationed in Kenya was rushed to hospital after being dragged from his sleeping bag by a hyena.

Private Steven Wishart had been in the African country for three weeks when the beast attacked him.

Fellow soldiers from the exercise yard at the British Army’s Training Unit Kenya were able to save the 25-year-old.

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He was then taken to Nairobi to be treated for rabies and other diseases and is now said to be “upbeat”.

Pte Wishart, who comes from Arbroath, said the experience has “made me think about where I sleep and to be more aware of what is out there”.

He said he was scared. But when it comes to explaining the experience in the pub when he returns, “I may change the story a little bit”, he said.

Major Peter Starkey, a medical officer from 1 Royal Ghurkha Regiment, was responsible for assessing Pte Wishart’s injuries.

He said only one solder witnessed the attack and managed to scare the animal away by shining a light in its face.

Maj Starkey added: “Only one person saw it and it wasn’t Steven, who only felt it.

“Given the wildlife in the area, a hyena is most likely. The punctures indicate it’s a canine. We have emailed photographs to the Natural History Museum where they’re going to make the call that it was a hyena.”