15 June 2023 , 08:00
902
0
The father of one of the teenagers killed in a horrific attack in Nottingham once saved the lives of three people in a stabbing near his workplace.
Grace O'Malley-Kumar's dad Dr Sanjoy Kumar reportedly saved three teenagers during a gang stabbing in Chingford, Essex, in 2009.
It's understood that the hero doctor helped move three young victims - aged 15, 16, and 17 - who had been stabbed to a makeshift trauma room in his surgery before 999 crews arrived at the scene.
His 19-year-old daughter Grace, who was a hockey star and studying to become a doctor like her dad, was tragically killed alongside history student Barnaby Webber as they returned home after a night out in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Dr Sanjoy Kumar saved three teenagers who were stabbed in 2009 (Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)The third victim of the violence was primary school caretaker Ian Coates, who was remembered along with the two students at a vigil on Wednesday.
Teen 'kept as slave, starved and beaten' sues adoptive parents and authorities
Relatives of Grace and Barnaby could be seen embracing at the vigil as they spoke to thousands of people at Nottingham University's main campus.
Barnaby's father David told those gathered that "his heart will be with you guys forever" while Dr Kumar told the students to look after each other.
Barnaby Webber was killed along with Grace on Tuesday (PA)
Ian Coates was the third victim of the attack (Miro Photography)Speaking on Wednesday with Mr Webber's hand on his shoulder, he said: "Everyone here I really, really want to thank you for your support, for taking the time to be here.
"All of you guys, everywhere that I see, a sea of people, such a lovely sign of the university and the bond you have.
"Grace was also like Barney, she loved coming up to Nottingham. In fact, we couldn't get her down.
"I said to her last week, 'come down', she said 'well, after she's had a few more sessions'. I used to call them her crisis meetings.
Barnaby Webber's father David embraces Grace O'Malley Kumar's mother ahead of a vigil at the University of Nottingham (PA)"The love that we have out here, I just wish we had it everywhere. So, look after each other is the big thing.
"Look after your friends and look after people around you. It is so important."
He also said: "Grace and her friend, they fell together, and you just need to be friends with everyone. You need to love everyone and I wish we had more of it.
"But most of all, all of you guys, everyone who's here who Grace may not have even touched, I really thank you for being here and taking the time.
Death fears for Emmerdale's Sarah as teen rushed to A&E after exposing secret
Thousands of people gathered to pay tribute to the victims (Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)"I really do. It means so much to Sinead, my wife, and me. She loved being here and she loved all of you. She really did and you should all feel very blessed.
"She was so full of her stories and things that she said about all of you, and you've all touched her life. And hence ours.
"You'll never be forgotten by us, certainly. We have children who were taken away prematurely from us, that should never happen to any parent."
A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.