A woman who was stabbed in the chest in Times Square in broad daylight was chaperoning a group of school girls on a class trip when she was attacked.

Amber Lohr from western Pennsylvania, was guiding the students when 61-year-old Cyril Destin allegedly lashed out in an unprovoked attack.

Despite being severely wounded in the incident, Amber ensured her students were safe before bystanders came to assistance.

Now her husband, John, said he considers the 36-year-old mother of five to be a "hero" for protecting the students.

He told the New York Post: "We don't feel safe there...a guy with a very lengthy record went out of nowhere and attacked my wife by stabbing her into the chest and within inches of her life being lost.

"My wife not only had taken the stabbing but should also be considered a hero by remaining in front of the children coaching them to go backwards without turning around."

John added that he wanted to also thank the "strong and fearless" girls his wife was chaperoning for keeping their composure and helping, despite being "scared out of their minds."

Amber was treated on the pavement while her attacker was arrested. Surveillance video shows he was still holding the knife when police officers arrived. She was taken to Bellevue Hospital for stab wounds.

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John added: "This man could have murdered my wife or even worse one of the children she was chaperoning.

"To think I could have been planning a funeral rather celebrating my wife on Mother’s Day is sickening to me."

Destin, who lives in a shelter across the street from the attack, was charged with second-degree assault, along with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Sources told the New York Post Destin also has a history of erratic and destructive behaviour, and hallucinations.

John added: "This man will strike again and maybe the next person may not be as fortunate.

"I will not accept anything but the max sentence for him...This man doesn’t only need to be jailed but institutionalised permanently following his well deserved lengthy sentencing."