A factory worker was fighting for his life in hospital today after being run down by a van amid the Nottingham rampage just moments after he got off a bus.
Wayne Birkett, a 58-year-old father who lives in the city, was critically injured with severe head injuries following the deadly attack two days ago in the early hours.
The Leeds United fan, nicknamed ‘Mush’, was said to have got off the bus one stop earlier than normal so he could walk to his workplace near the city’s train station.
University of Nottingham students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19, were found stabbed to death on Ilkeston Road at around 4am on Tuesday.
Primary school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, was then found dead on Magdala Road after his van was allegedly stolen by the 31-year-old suspect – who is a former University of Nottingham student – and driven into three pedestrians, one of whom was Mr Birkett.
Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, were found stabbed to death on Tuesday
The third victim of the Nottingham attacks was Ian Coates, a school caretaker aged 65
A forensics officer walks near a van in a cordon on Bentinck Road in Nottingham on Tuesday
Mr Birkett’s brother Shaun told the Mirror that the family were ‘just waiting for Wayne to open his eyes’, and described his sibling as a ‘down to earth man who would do anything for anyone’.
His niece, who did not want to be named, said Mr Birkett was still unconscious and his family were ‘worried sick’, adding: ‘He’s still not awake so we don’t know what happened. It’s all been a nightmare.’
Mr Birkett works for lightning protection company ABB Furse and is originally from Newark-on-Trent, near Nottingham.
His colleague Richard Whitbread tweeted last night: ‘C’mon, “Mush”, keep fighting. Your workmates have your back! #NottinghamTogether.’
He also wrote in an earlier tweet: ‘Was on the same bus as workmate. He gets off one stop earlier for a walk to work I stop on and catch a bus to the railway station which is close to where we work [sic]. Just horrendous.’
A colleague of Mr Birkett’s also told the Mirror: ‘All we’ve heard is that Mush is still critical. We’re all praying for him. Wayne needs to get well and back to work as I’m having to do all his work too.’
And a spokesman for Mr Birkitt’s employer ABB told MailOnline: ‘ABB are appalled and saddened by the tragic events in Nottingham city centre on June 13, 2023.
‘With respect for those involved and their families, while we can confirm that an ABB employee was a victim in the incident, we will not comment on individual circumstances, but focus on supporting our colleague, our workforce and others directly affected.
‘Our thoughts are with the people of Nottingham and the friends and families impacted by these tragic events.’
Richard Whitbread has tweeted about his colleague Wayne Birkett who was seriously injured
It comes as detectives were granted a further 36 hours to question the suspect over the rampage in which three people were killed and another three injured.
The force has referred a further incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct watchdog after a marked police car followed the vehicle for a short distance before it struck another two pedestrians in Sherwood Street.
The suspect was Tasered and arrested on suspicion of murder at 5.30am when the van was eventually stopped.
Police revealed today that the suspect is a former University of Nottingham student, but said ‘this is not believed to be connected with the attack’.
The van behind a police cordon on the corner of Maples Street and Bentinck Road on Tuesday
Sanjoy Kumar, father of Grace, and David Webber, father of Barnaby, speak during a vigil at the University of Nottingham yesterday after their children were killed
After medical student Ms O’Malley-Kumar and history student Mr Webber were fatally stabbed, the attacker walked to a supported living complex in Mapperley Road but was denied entry, the force said.
Detectives are continuing to work with counter-terrorism officers and keeping an ‘open mind’ on the motives behind the attacks.
The city is preparing for another vigil after the heartbroken families of the two student victims were joined by thousands of people in their grief at the university’s main campus yesterday.
Relatives of Ms O’Malley-Kumar and Mr Webber could be seen embracing at the vigil.
Barnaby’s father, David, told those gathered that ‘his heart will be with you guys forever’, while Grace’s father, Sanjoy, told the students to look after each other.
