'The woman with a hijab helping victims is far more reflective of Muslims than the idiot with the knife': Praise for bystanders who rushed to aid of Manchester stabbing victims
A woman who went to the aid of a man and woman injured in a knife attack in Manchester last night has been praised online.
Two train passengers and a policeman suffered knife wounds when a man shouting shouting 'Allahu Akbar' went on the rampage at Manchester Victoria station last night.
Pictures from the scene show two of the victims, who are both in their 50s, being helped by two women police officers and members of the public.
Social media users praised one of the women helping, saying the good actions of passers-by should receive as much attention as those of the attacker.
Social media users have praised a woman seen with her arm around one of those injured in the Manchester knife attacks last night
Former prosecutor Nazir Afzal was among those praising the woman's actions
Former top prosecutor Nazir Afzal tweeted: 'Awful news but Manchester has shown how it responds to those who try to divide us
'The woman with hijab helping victims is far more reflective of Muslims than the idiot with a knife.'
Another Twitter user from Manchester added: 'Reading reports about the Victoria Station attack and got to say the only photo that should go viral is of the Muslim lady wearing a hijab helping the victims.
'Good people exist. We can't let the actions of a few taint our view of the many.'
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Police have yet to say whether the knifings were a terrorist attack, although anti-terror police are investigating.
A spokesman for the Muslim Council of Britain said: 'Despite unverified speculation, it is unclear what the motives are behind this horrible attack.
'Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, including a brave policeman.
'We hope the perpetrator is brought to justice. We must not allow this act to overshadow our hopes for a positive year ahead.'
A witness who considered jumping onto the tracks to escape the knifeman took this photo of the aftermath after two rail passengers and a policeman were stabbed last night
In footage, said to show the suspect being put in the back of a police van after his arrest, he can be heard shouting 'Allahu Akbar'
Two commuters - a man and woman in their 50s - were taken to hospital with knife injuries and a British Transport Police (BTP) officer was stabbed in the shoulder. He has since been released from hospital.
A GMP spokesman said: 'The police sergeant ... was taken to hospital with a stab wound to his shoulder following the attack at the station.
'Within minutes, a man was arrested near to Metrolink platforms A and B on suspicion of attempted murder. He remains in custody for police questioning.'
The station is next to Manchester Arena, where suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people on May 22.
The spokesman said there would be a greater police presence around the station on Tuesday, but added that there was no increased threat to people's safety.
A witness to the attack said they heard the assailant shout 'Allah' during the incident.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said: '(Monday night's) events will have understandably worried people but I need to stress that the incident is not ongoing, a man is in custody and there is currently no intelligence to suggest that there is any wider threat at this time.'
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