Briton who tried to save stabbed backpacker dies from injuries

A British man who was critically injured as he tried to save a fellow backpacker as she was stabbed in a knife attack in Australia has died, police said.

Thomas Jackson, 30, went to the aid of Mia Ayliffe-Chung, 21, as she was repeatedly knifed at Home Hill last week.

A spokesman for Queensland Police said: "Police can confirm 30-year-old British man Thomas Jackson, critically injured in an alleged knife attack at Home Hill on August 23, has today passed away in the Townsville Hospital."

The spokesman said investigations are continuing, but detectives will upgrade a charge of attempted murder against a 29-year-old man when he next appears at Townsville Magistrates' Court on October 28.

He added: "The family of Thomas have told us that while they appreciate the support, they don't wish to speak to the media."

Smail Ayad, 29, is alleged to have stabbed Ms Ayliffe-Chung and to have caused the injuries which led to Mr Jackson's death at the Shelley's Backpackers accommodation in Home Hill, as well as harming 12 police officers.

Police previously said that they were investigating whether Ayad had an "obsession" with Ms Ayliffe-Chung.

Mr Jackson suffered critical head injuries as he went to her aid and police described his actions as "selfless".

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