Nottingham attack victims: Everything we know so far

Here is what we know so far about the victims of Tuesday’s knife and van attack in Nottingham.

Three people lost their lives in the attack: Barnaby Webber, Grace Kumar and Ian Coates.

University students Barnaby and Grace were walking home from a night out around 4am when they were attacked.

Ian was found dead by a couple a short distance away in the city.

The attack also left three people in hospital, including a man who is fighting for his life, seemingly struck with a van.

A man has been arrested and is in police custody.

Barnaby Webber

University of Nottingham student Barnaby Webber, 19, was a keen cricketer whose family home was in Taunton in Somerset.

He was described by a friend as a ‘wonderful young man with much to look forward to’.

Mr Webber played for cricket teams including Bishops Hull Cricket Club, where members called him a dear friend who was a key part of the club.

He had a younger brother, Charlie, who along with his parents, David and Emma, described their ‘complete devastation’ at his death.

Speaking from Somerset, Barnaby’s grandparents Phil and Jenny Robson told the Telegraph: ‘We are still unsure what has gone on at the moment.

‘Barnaby’s parents are in bits as you can imagine but they are with officers from Nottinghamshire Police as we speak.

‘We’ve been told not to make any comment until we know more.

‘Perhaps in a day or two we can say more but at the moment we are not allowed.’

Taunton School said the death of former pupil Barnaby is ‘utterly devastating’.

A statement on its website said: ‘The Taunton School community is heartbroken by the recent, tragic news about Barnaby Webber.

‘Barnaby joined us in the nursery and studied here all the way through to the end of the sixth form, leaving just last year.

‘In his long association with the school, he touched the lives of many staff, pupils and parents and his loss will be very difficult to come to terms with.

‘He was a much-loved, kind and engaging character. That a young man of such promise should lose his life in these circumstances is utterly devastating.

‘We send our love and deepest condolences to his family. We continue to do all we can to support them and all in our community affected by these events.

‘When the time comes, we will find a fitting way in which to remember Barnaby and his special contribution to our school.’

Grace Kumar

Fellow student Grace Kumar, also 19, was a talented hockey player.

She played for the England under-16 and under-18 squads, as well as teams including Southgate Hockey Club in north London.

Grace was also a gifted cricketer, with Woodford Wells Cricket Club, in Essex. The club called the teenager ‘fun, friendly and brilliant’.

Miss Kumar, also known as Grace O’Malley-Kumar, attended independent Bancroft’s School in north east London before the University of Nottingham.

England Hockey said: ‘We are all deeply saddened by the news of the tragic death of Grace Kumar in the major incident in Nottingham on Tuesday.

‘Grace represented England in the U16 and U18 squads while also playing for Southgate HC, Old Loughtonians HC, and the University of Nottingham HC. Our thoughts are with Grace’s family, friends, teammates and the whole hockey community at this time.’

According to reports, Grace’s father is thought to be Dr Sanjoy Kumar, a GP who saved three teenage victims of a knife attack in 2009.

Bancroft’s School in north-east London, where Grace was a student until last year, said in a statement on its website: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the death in Nottingham under tragic circumstances of one of our recent leavers from 2022, Grace O’Malley Kumar.

‘We are desperately shocked and saddened by Grace’s sudden death in these truly terrible circumstances. She left Bancroft’s only last year and was a hugely important part of our community.

‘An immensely gifted and dedicated scholar and sportswoman, she was hugely loved and greatly respected and admired by all. She was outstanding in every respect and will be missed terribly.

‘It will take everyone in the Bancroft’s community a considerable time to come to terms with this shocking news, but above all our thoughts are with Grace’s family and friends at this difficult time.’

Ian Coates

Ian was found by a shocked couple passing the scene early on Tuesday morning.

Tributes for the school caretaker – thought to be in his sixties – have started to pour in.

In a statement confirming the death of Ian, Ross Middleton, executive headteacher at Huntingdon Academy and Warren Academy, said: ‘Ian was a much-loved colleague who always went the extra mile for the benefit of our children and will be greatly missed.

‘As a school community, it will take time to process this deeply upsetting news. We wish to extend our sympathy and condolences to all those affected by yesterday’s tragic events.’

Diana Owen, chief executive of the L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, said: ‘I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear about this tragic news.

‘Ian was a beloved and respected member of the Huntingdon Academy staff. My thoughts are with his family and friends during this extremely sad time.’

Flowers have been left outside Magdala Road, where Ian’s body was discovered.

Delivery driver Miklos Toldi told the Telegraph he found the body at 5.30am. He added: ‘It was a big shock. I’m ok but I am worried about my wife.’

Police arrived on the scene in a matter of minutes following a 999 call, he added.

MORE : Tributes flood in as ‘beloved’ school caretaker named as third victim of Nottingham attacks

MORE : Family’s agony over ‘senseless’ Nottingham murders that left ‘bright, brilliant’ students dead

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