Thousands have turned out to a university vigil in Nottingham to honour the three people, including 19-year-old students Grace O’Malley Kumar and Barnaby Webber, killed in a vicious knife attack on Tuesday. Crowds gathered at the top of the Djangoly steps near the university’s Portland building on Wednesday afternoon ahead of proceedings as the father of Grace Kumar and the brother of Baranaby Webber were seen embracing. 

Many of those in attendance could be seen wiping away tears and consoling each other in a respectful silence as they mourned the loss of those killed in the knife attack that has shaken the city of Nottingham.

The vigil, held by the University of Nottingham, began at 4pm and thousands have turned up to pay their respects. 

Grace Kumar, a medical student, and Barnaby Webber, a history student, were both enrolled at the university when they were viciously killed in the early hours of Tuesday morning by a 31-year-old assailant. 

Ian Coates, 65, was confirmed as the third victim killed in the attack on Tuesday. 

He was a school caretaker at the local Huntingdon Academy and, according to friends and family, had planned to retire in the next few months.

Grant Walton, from the university chaplaincy, opened Wednesday’s vigil by thanking those who had “travelled many miles to be with us”, in a nod to the seismic effect the attack has had not just on Nottingham but the entire country. 

He said: “This is one of those moments which we hoped we’d never encounter.

“Students and staff of the university, community members and, most importantly, family and friends of precious Grace and Barnaby, some travelling many miles to be with us.”

The university’s vice-chancellor Professor Shearer West said the lives of the two 19-year-olds had been “curtailed” by a “seemingly random” act of violence.

MORE TO FOLLOW… 

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Source: Read Full Article