A Leeds United fan is fighting for his life after being run over during a series of devastating attacks in Nottingham that claimed the lives of three people.
Wayne Birkett, 58, was on his way to work when he was mowed down by a stolen van in the centre of the East Midlands city. He was rushed to hospital and is in a critical condition with severe head injuries.
Wayne, who is nicknamed 'Mush', got off the bus early on Tuesday, June 14, so he could walk to his workplace at a factory near Nottingham station, Mirror Online reports.
Read more: Pupils protest outside Leeds school after being 'denied entry' as 'teacher barricades gates
Those who know Wayne have been posting on social media to send their best wishes to him as he fights to stay alive. 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 lives in Nottingham but is originally from Newark-on-Trent.
He works for lightning protection company ABB Furse. Wayne's brother Shaun described his sibling as a “down to earth man who would do anything for anyone”. He said: "There’s not much to say. We’re just waiting for Wayne to open his eyes.”
A colleague of Wayne's also said: “All we’ve heard is that Mush is still critical. We’re all praying for him". He jokingly added: “Wayne needs to get well and back to work as I’m having to do all his work too.”
Wayne's niece, who did not want to be named, said the family are "worried sick". She said: “He’s still not awake so we don’t know what happened. It’s all been a nightmare.”
Wayne was injured as part of a series of attacks which have devastated the city of Nottingham. A van and knife rampage claimed the lives of two students called Grace Kumar and Barnaby Webber, as well as school caretaker Ian Coates. Grace and Barnaby were both just 19 years old. Ian was 65.
A 31-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder continues to be questioned by Nottinghamshire Police. He is believed to be a former University of Nottingham student and detectives have been granted a further 36 hours to question him.
Read next:
