“Hero” backpacker dies after knife attack

THOMAS JACKSON, a British man who was seriously injured following a knife attack in a hostel in Australia, has died, Queensland Police have said.

Mr Jackson, of Cheshire, sustained life-threatening injuries while trying to protect fellow backpacker Mia Ayliffe-Chung from a vicious knife attack. 

Frenchman Smail Ayad has been charged with murdering Ms Ayliffe-Chung and for attempting to murder Mr Jackson. This second charge will now be changed to murder, police have said.

Mr Ayad is alleged to have stabbed Ms Ayliffe-Chung and inflicted the injuries to Mr Jackson which led to his death at a hostel in Queensland, Australia on August 23. A dozen police officers were also injured while arresting the accused.

A fundraising page has been set up on the Youcaring website by friends of the victim to help support his family during these times, with tributes to which his father has said: “Thanks again to everyone for the love and support you have given us over the last few days, we will be forever grateful.”