Woman from North sheltered shoppers who fled stab attack

A woman from Northern Ireland who works near a shopping centre in Sydney where six people were stabbed to death has described how she helped those who fled the scene in terror.

Salon owner Leanne Devine, originally from Co Down, kept her premises open to shelter those escaping the Westfield Bondi Junction commercial complex on Saturday.

The Brackenagh native said many “traumatised” people came through her doors after running in fear for their lives.

“We’re in shock mode,” she told ABC News. “I’ve been in Bondi Junction for 21 years and I’ve never witnessed anything like this.”

The businesswoman, whose salon is on Oxford Street in the Australian city, described the incident as “just horrific”.

Employees had been getting ready to finish their shift when they witnessed “hundreds and hundreds of people running” from the shopping centre while shouting, screaming and crying.

“What they saw was just traumatising,” Ms Devine said.

“We had lots and lots of people come in, showing us the photographs of what they’d seen. They had to sit down, we had to give them water, we had to say, ‘Are you OK?’.”

An elderly woman was among those who sought refuge in the salon and had to remain there for several hours because her legs were sore from running while carrying shopping bags.

“Paramedics have obviously come in to use the bathroom because they’ve been here that long,” Ms Devine recalled. “The paramedics are in tears. They have seen stuff that they have never witnessed before, ever.”

The perpetrator was later identified as Joel Cauchi (40) who was shot dead by a lone police officer. Queensland Police confirmed he was known to them and had mental health issues.

New mum Ashlee Good (38) was among those killed in the attack. She died protecting her nine-month-old baby who has undergone surgery.

“The baby got stabbed,” an eye witness said. “The mum got stabbed and came over with a baby and threw it at me. I was holding the baby, it looked pretty bad.”

Four other victims have been identified as shopping centre security guard Faraz Tahir, Jade Young (47), Pikria Darchia (55) and Dawn Singleton (25).

Inspector Amy Scott, who opened fire as Cauchi raised his knife towards her after being challenged, has been hailed as a “hero” by Australia’s prime minister.