Hero backpacker who died trying to save fellow Brit from crazed knifeman will save more lives by donating his organ
Tom Jackson sacrificed his life trying to protect Mia Ayliffe-Chung in Australian knife rampage
A HERO backpacker who died trying to save a fellow Brit from a crazed knifeman will save yet more lives by donating his organs.
Tom Jackson was hailed for sacrificing his life trying to protect Mia Ayliffe-Chung, 21, who was viciously stabbed to death in front of him at an Australian backpacker hostel.
Tom, 30, who was stabbed 20 times in the frenzied attack, had his life support machine turned off on Monday.
But brave Tom’s father Les has spoken of his pride about his son’s ability to save even more lives in death.
He said: “How wonderful that he died trying to save someone's life and maybe has ended up saving even more and I think that's a lovely way of thinking of it.
“At least something has come out of the s***ness and so long as he has a legacy, that is the main thing.”
He also expressed some sympathy for the family of his son and Ms Ayliffe-Chung's alleged killer Frenchman Smail Ayad, 29.
The 58-year-old added: “I've got absolutely no anger at the moment, maybe that will come later.
“We can go through the grieving process and come out the other end as a family and eventually be able to move on.
"But Ayad's family have got to live with this for the Rest of their lives and that's horrendous.”
Kickboxer Ayad screamed 'Allahu Akbar', Arabic for 'God is great', while stabbing Ms Ayliffe-Chung and hurt several police officers who used pepper spray and a taser to subdue him.
However, despite his jihadi-style outburst, investigators later ruled out links to terrorism, and say tests found he had been using cannabis.
Fellow backpackers said Ayad was infatuated with Ms Ayliffe-Chung, even telling people they were married. Ms Ayliffe-Chung did not return his affections.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has also praised the bravery of Tom.
She said: ”Tom Jackson's actions of putting his own life before the life of Ms Ayliffe-Chung is an extraordinary act of courage & deserves recognition.
“That's why I have today written to the Australian Bravery Decorations Council to nominate Mr Jackson for a posthumous bravery award.”
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