Tributes as traveller dies after bid to save British backpacker
THE “indescribably proud” relatives of a traveller stabbed trying to save a fellow backpacker from a fatal attack have paid tribute to him after he died in an Australian hospital.
Tom Jackson, 30, was injured as he went to the aid of Mia Ayliffe-Chung, 21, during a knife attack at Shelley’s Backpackers in Home Hill, Queensland, last week.
His sister Liv Jackson, who flew out to Australia with her father Les after Mr Jackson was seriously injured, posted on Facebook: “There is nothing in this world that can prepare you for the pain and heartbreak of losing a sibling and a friend, but there is great comfort in knowing he was mine.
“To everyone back home and to everyone here in Australia, there are not enough words to thank you for your support and beautifully kind words to my family at this time.” She urged people not to remember him as a victim but as a friend and to cherish his memory, adding: “Indescribably proud of everything you accomplished and the lives you touched. I will love you always and forever TJ, your little sister, Lou.”
Mr Jackson, from Congleton, Cheshire, died in a north Queensland hospital yesterday.
Queensland Police said detectives will upgrade a charge of attempted murder against a 29-year-old man when he next appears at Townsville Magistrates’ Court on October 28.
Smail Ayad is alleged to have killed Ms Ayliffe-Chung and to have caused the injuries that led to Mr Jackson’s death, as well as harming 12 police officers.
Police previously said they were investigating whether Ayad had an “obsession” with Ms AyliffeChung, from Wirksworth, Derbyshire, and described Mr Jackson’s actions as “selfless”.
Rachel Edwards, a close friend since they studied at South Cheshire College together, wrote: “I can’t really find the words to say how devastated I am.”
Mr Jackson was a sport student at South Cheshire College until 2005.
College principal Jasbir Dhesi said: “This is very sad news following Thomas’s heroic intervention.”