Nottingham attack victim hit by van 'doesn't recognise his own dad or brother'

19 June 2023 , 16:10

641     0

Dad of one Wayne Birkett was one of three people hit by a van in the series of deadly attacks in Nottingham (Image: NottinghamshireLive WS)

The family of a man left with horrendous injuries after being hit by a van during last week's Nottingham attacks say he does not recognise them.

Dad Wayne Birkett, 60, was one of the three people hospitalised after being hit in Nottingham city centre in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The three were hit after University of Nottingham students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley Kumar, 19, and grandfather Ian Coates, 65, were stabbed to death.

Wayne was taken to hospital in a critical condition, but his family have now said they are worried about possible head injuries.

Wayne's brother, Shaun Birkett, 58, said he was awake and speaking, but struggling to remember his loved ones.

They look and taste like sweets - no wonder underage vaping is sweeping Britain

Wayne was taken to hospital in a critical condition, but his family have now said they are worried about possible head injuries (NottinghamshireLive WS)

"Since the first night I went down, he looks 99 per cent better. But the only problem is that they're worried about his head," Mr Birkett told Nottinghamshire Live.

"It broke his pelvis, his collarbone and some ribs but they can only X-ray him tomorrow [Tuesday, June 20]. He's awake and conscious but sometimes we don't know what he's talking about.

"He doesn't know us, he doesn't know his dad or his little brother, but I'm sure he'll get better, that's what they're saying.

"We've just got to keep talking to him and reminding him of things.

"But I'm okay, I've had my cries, from seeing him from the first time to now, I've seen the improvements so I'm feeling more positive myself.

"I'm just praying there are no long [term] effects."

The three were hit after students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley Kumar, 19, and grandfather Ian Coates, 65, were stabbed to death (Getty Images)

Wayne, who works for a welding company in the city and has a son, Jordan, is set to undergo an X-ray on Tuesday which will provide more detail on whether his injuries will have a long-term impact.

Jordan meanwhile has been visiting the hospital every day to be by his dad's side, with Wayne's former partner Jane having sadly died last year.

"I've never been through this, I don't know how he's going to survive if he gets out, and if he's going to be alright. We've just got to keep our fingers crossed I suppose. We've had some good support."

A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help Wayne's family. You can donate to the fundraiser here.

Family of man 'in river' say cops did 'nothing' compared to missing mum search

A 31-year-old man, Valdo Calocane, appeared in court at the weekend charged with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder in relation to the incident last Tuesday.

Daniela Loffreda