A factory worker fighting for his life following the Nottingham rampage was run down moments after he got off a bus.
Wayne Birkett, 58, was on his way to work when he was hit by the van, the Mirror reports. Three people were struck by the stolen vehicle in the city centre after three others had been stabbed to death.
He remains critically ill in hospital with severe head injuries following the attack in the early hours of Tuesday.
READ MORE: Nottingham attack victims named locally as heartfelt tributes pour in
Wayne’s workmates said the dad, nicknamed ‘Mush’, got off the bus early so he could walk to work at a factory near Nottingham station.
One posted on Twitter: “C’mon ‘Mush’, keep fighting. Your workmates have your back! #NottinghamTogether.” In another tweet he added: “Was on the same bus as workmate. He gets off one stop earlier for a walk to work. Just horrendous!”
Wayne, who works for lightning protection company ABB Furse, lives in Nottingham but is originally from Newark-on-Trent, Notts. A colleague told the Mirror this morning: “All we’ve heard is that Mush is still critical. We’re all praying for him.”
The workmate jokingly added: “Wayne needs to get well and back to work as I’m having to do all his work too.”
He was one of three people hit when the van, stolen from victim Ian Coates, ploughed into pedestrians. Wayne’s brother Shaun told the Mirror: “There’s not much to say. We’re just waiting for Wayne to open his eyes.”
His niece, who did not want to be named, also confirmed he is still unconscious and said his family are “worried sick”. She told the Mirror: “He’s still not awake so we don’t know what happened. It’s all been a nightmare.”
Thousands of Nottingham residents are expected to attend a vigil this evening for the three victims of Tuesday’s knife and van rampage.
Students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, died in the attacks. Nottingham Forest fan Ian’s relatives are expected to join thousands of locals in Nottingham’s Old Market Square at 5.30pm.
A minute silence will take place at 6pm from the steps of the Council House. Nottinghamshire Police are continuing to question a 31-year-old man, believed to originally be from West Africa, on suspicion of murder.
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