A backpacker who died trying to save the life of a fellow traveller during a "frenzied knife attack" has been called a "brave hero" by ECHO readers.
ECHO readers have paid their tributes to LFC fan Tom Leslie Jackson who died six days after he was critically injured as he tried to shield Mia Ayliffe-Chung, 21, from a knife attack at a hostel in Queensland, Australia. Almost six years on, an inquest into his death was held at Warrington Coroners Court yesterday, April 12, Cheshire Live reports.
The court heard how French backpacker Smail Ayad carried out the attack on both Mr Jackson and Miss Ayliff-Chung at the hostel in Home Hill, Queensland, on August 23, 2016. A coroner's report in Queensland stated that Mr Ayad was at the time 'psychotic and under the influence of cannabis', and as a result criminal proceedings were discontinued.
READ MORE: LFC fan and hero backpacker died trying to save woman from frenzied knife attack
Mr Jackson, 30, from Congleton - who used to work at Hanover Street Social in Liverpool city centre, sustained at least 12 separate injuries in the attack. Miss Ayliff-Chung, from Derbyshire, was pronounced dead at the scene while Mr Jackson died from his severe injuries in Townsville Hospital six days later.
The former South Cheshire Collage student's medical cause of death was stab wounds to the brain. Assistant coroner Peter Sigee said it was "appropriate" that the findings of the Queensland coroner's report, dated June 30, 2020, should be the "only evidence to receive and consider".
Mr Jackson went to the aid of Miss Mia Ayliff-Chung after Mr Ayad carried out a frenzied knife attack. The inquest heard: "Despite knowing that Mr Ayad had inflicted serious knife injuries to Miss Ayliff-Chung and that Mr Ayad remained within the hostel, armed and dangerous, Mr Jackson made no attempt to escape to a place of safety but remained with Miss Ayliff-Chung in an effort to care for her and prevent further harm to her."
Recording a narrative conclusion, Mr Sigee said: "Mr Jackson died of knife injuries inflicted upon him by a person of unsound mind whilst Mr Jackson was acting with great courage and valour in seeking to protect and care for a severely injured person."
After learning about the news ECHO readers were quick to commend the bravery of Mr Jackson. Ruth Strong said: "Rest in peace - God bless you. You're a very brave man. YNWA."
Tina Lunt said: "Very sad for his family but what a hero. May he rest in peace." Jean Dowling added: "RIP - so sad for his family and friends."
Jean Dews wrote: "What a noble gesture but sadly lost his life in doing so. He is a hero. Respect young man."
Another person added: "What an absolute travesty for this young man, the young lady, friends and family. The world is full of evil and some people just accidently stumble in to it."
Speaking to CheshireLive after the hearing, Mr Jackson's parents Leslie and Sandra said there isn't a day that goes by when they don't think of their son. Leslie said: "We think about him all the time."
The pair said their son, an avid Liverpool FC fan, was an experienced traveller having stayed in India, Malaysia and spent 18 months in Cambodia teaching English. Leslie said: "Tom fitted more in 30 years than a lot of people do in a lifetime."
Mr Jackson was posthumously awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal on what would have been his 33rd birthday, as well as a similar accolade in Queensland, for his heroic efforts on August 23, 2016.
