Family of Grace O’Malley-Kumar, 19, pay tribute to ‘happy’ student killed in Nottingham as dad revealed as hero doc
THE family of Grace O’Malley-Kumar who was killed in the Nottingham attacks yesterday say they are “completely broken” by her death.
The hockey star, 19, was stabbed to death alongside pal Barnaby Webber as they walked home from a night out at 4am along Ilkeston Road.
Around an hour later, school caretaker Ian Coates was stabbed to death on Magdala Road – just streets from where Grace and Barnaby died.
In a heartbreaking statement, Grace’s family remembered an “adored daughter and sister” who “was so happy in life”.
They told MailOnline: “Grace was an adored daughter and sister; she was a truly wonderful and beautiful young lady.
“Grace was not just a sister to James but his best friend. He is completely heartbroken. As parents, words cannot explain our complete and utter devastation.
“She will be so dearly missed. We were so incredibly proud of Grace’s achievements and what a truly lovely person she was. She was resilient and wise beyond her years.
“Grace was so happy in life fulfilling her ambition of studying to become a doctor whilst playing topflight hockey at university.
“She leaves behind devastated extended family and friends.”
The way Grace died had tragic similarities to the time three teens were stabbed in 2009 – but they were saved her dad by Dr Sanjoy Kumar.
Dr Kumar was awarded an MBE in 2011 for saving the lives of the teenagers.
He told the press after the rescue: “Fate was on their side because if they were stabbed in the open then it could have been fatal.”
The horror unfolded at Larkshall Medical Centre, Chingford, Essex, in 2009.
Two teens, aged 15 and 16, had been knifed in the chest, while a 17-year-old was stabbed in the abdomen following a gang stabbing on nearby Kings Road.
The young people then stumbled into the medical centre.
Dr Kumar explained the horror moment in 2009 like a “war zone”.
He said at the time: “We had to close the surgery and declare a major incident area. The practice became like a field hospital or an army hospital.
“We thought the two guys might have collapsed lungs because they were having trouble breathing, and they were really scared and in a state of emotion.
“We cleared the airway in their chest to create resuscitation. We tried to keep the flow of Oxygen going and used an electrocardiogram to monitor their hearts.
“We examined them for 15 minutes before the police and ambulance arrived.”
Tributes have started pouring in for sport-loving Grace in the hours after her death.
England Hockey today said: “We are all deeply saddened by the news of the tragic death of Grace Kumar in the major incident in Nottingham on Tuesday.”
Police rushed to Nottingham’s Ilkeston Road just after 4am yesterday after witnesses revealed they heard “blood-curdling screams“.
Onlookers described the horror moment they claim they saw the knifing take place, before police swarmed the scene.
This was understood to be when Grace and Barnaby were killed.
Police were then called to Milton Street where the stolen van was used to run over three people – leaving one man in a critical condition with two others suffering minor injuries.
Detectives – including terror cops – believe the suspect had stolen the van from nearby Magdala Road, where he killed the vehicle’s owner.
This is said to be when Ian was knifed to death.
The suspect was ultimately arrested about 5.30am, after being Tasered by cops who dragged him from the vehicle.
Police confirmed before 10am the 31-year-old had been arrested on suspicion of murder, and was being held in custody.