Intruder Stabs George Harrison

July 8, 2003

I am sure that all the participants on this forum join with me in praying for the speedy recovery of this gentlemanly and intelligent devotee. George Harrison, as many devotees may be aware, sponsored the first printing of Srila Prabhupada's book, "Krsna the Supreme Personality of Godhead." He also very generously donated an estate, Bhaktivedanta Manor, which has been instrumental in ISKCON's preaching programme in England over the years.

Best wishes, Ananda das

--

DECEMBER 30, 07:38 EST

Intruder Stabs George Harrison

By KRISTIN GAZLAY

Associated Press Writer

LONDON (AP) - An intruder broke into George Harrison's Oxfordshire mansion, stabbing the former Beatle in the chest and attacking his wife today, according to his spokesman. The star was hospitalized in stable condition.

Harrison, 56, and his wife, Olivia, were attacked when an intruder broke into the house before dawn in Henley on Thames, 25 miles west of London, said the spokesman, Geoff Baker.

"From what we know, George was stabbed in the chest several times and Olivia was hit over the head," Baker said.

Harrison was hospitalized at Royal Berkshire Hospital in nearby Reading, according to the hospital's chief executive, Mark Gitten. Olivia Harrison was not admitted to the hospital, but was at her husband's side.

Gitten said Harrison had not undergone surgery, but had been fitted with a chest drain.

"Since he's been in a hospital bed, he's been getting much better and is comfortable," Gitten said. "Generally, they are very happy and concerned to let the world know they are recovering well."

Thames Valley police said they were questioning a man in connection with the attack at the palatial Harrison estate, called Friar Park.

Press Association, the British news agency, said Harrison and his wife grappled with the intruder, believed to be a 33-year-old Liverpool man, and that they apparently were able to detain him until police arrived.

The man was treated at a nearby hospital for undisclosed injuries, but was then discharged into police custody, authorities said.

Baker said, as far as he knew, the man was not previously known to the family.

The Harrisons have lived at Friar Park, a former nunnery close to the center of historic Henley, for more than 20 years. Security at the walled estate is tight, and it was unclear how the intruder managed to enter the house.

George Martin, the Beatles' longtime producer, speculated to SKY-TV that the attack was "a burglary that went wrong."

Former Beatle producer George Martin says he's shocked over the attack on George Harrison. "The house is a very sort of grand place, with a lot of grounds," Martin said. "I know there's always people trying to get in and that kind of thing, but George always leads a very quiet life. .... I can't imagine anyone picking on George. I think they must have just picked on the house."

In 1998, Harrison disclosed that he had been battling throat cancer for more than a year and had surgery to remove a lump in his neck. He later had radiation therapy, adding to an experience he said made him think about the fragility of life. "It reminds you that anything can happen," he told the tabloid News of the World.

Earlier that year, the three surviving Beatles - Harrison, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney - were reunited for the first time in years at a London memorial service for McCartney's wife, Linda, who died of breast cancer.

John Lennon, the fourth Beatle, was shot to death in New York City on Dec. 8, 1980.