Nathan, who was stabbed four times during an altercation outside a home in Quirindi during the early hours of Saturday morning, was yesterday recovering from injuries including a perforated bowel and punctured lung.

While specific details of the incident are still unclear, it is understood Nathan had not been involved in the original altercation. Following the incident witnesses said Nathan had intervened to break up the fight between two other men.

Ms Fleming said the enormity of the incident had not sunk in.

“We are still in shock. I don’t think it has hit us yet,” she said.

“Nathan has had a lot of visitors. He is experiencing a lot of pain, especially when he breathes.”

Nathan underwent emergency surgery on Saturday night. Ms Fleming said the operations had gone well.

“(Yesterday afternoon) he started physiotherapy and other rehabilitative measures and that’s a good sign,” she said.

Ms Fleming said Nathan and his extended family had been inundated with messages of support from family and friends.

“That has helped to make things easier,” she said.

“The hospital staff have been very thorough in their care of Nathan. They have gone out of their way to try and make things better and to get us to smile.”

The alleged assailant, Trent Willard, 20, of Quirindi was charged was with attempted murder, maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He appeared in Tamworth Local Court yesterday, where his case was adjourned to Wednesday, May 21.

He did not enter a plea and an application for bail was refused.