Australian reporter 'is attacked by screwdriver-wielding man' who 'screamed Allahu Akbar and made motions to STAB her' as she covered George Floyd protests on live TV

  • The Nine Network's Europe Correspondent Sophie Walsh was allegedly attacked
  • Walsh was allegedly attacked by a man who made stabbing motions toward her
  • She was doing a live cross while covering an upcoming George Floyd rally in UK
  • Walsh said her cameraman chased the man down before police arrested him 
  • Channel Nine said Walsh was left 'rattled by the encounter' but 'unharmed'
  • It comes two days after a Channel 7 reporter was attacked by police in the U.S.

A Channel 9 reporter was allegedly assaulted during a live cross from London by a screwdriver-wielding man who screamed 'Allah Akbar'.

The network's Europe Correspondent Sophie Walsh was reporting on upcoming George Floyd protests in the UK back to the Adelaide studio for the 6pm news when she said she was 'grabbed' by the man. 

'Sorry, I just ... I just had someone come up and try and ... yeah. A man just came up and grabbed me. It's OK... A man just came up and grabbed me though,' the visibly shaken reporter said. 

Vision of the alleged attack wasn't captured as the news reel showed protests in France at the time, however chilling audio was caught.

Walsh could be heard screaming several times before exclaiming 's**t!' while being 'grabbed' by the man who allegedly made stabbing motions toward her.

The network's Europe Correspondent Sophie Walsh was reporting on upcoming George Floyd protests in the UK back to the Adelaide studio for the 6pm news when she said she was 'grabbed' by a man

The network's Europe Correspondent Sophie Walsh was reporting on upcoming George Floyd protests in the UK back to the Adelaide studio for the 6pm news when she said she was 'grabbed' by a man 

Walsh said her camerman Jason Conduit chased the man down while 'armed with a light stand' before police apprehended him

Walsh said her camerman Jason Conduit chased the man down while 'armed with a light stand' before police apprehended him 

Walsh said her cameraman Jason Conduit chased the man down while 'armed with a light stand'.

The alleged attacker was then arrested and charged for threats to kill and for possessing a weapon, believed to be a screwdriver.

The Nine Network said Walsh was 'rattled by the encounter' but 'unharmed'.

'Nine News appreciates the enormous pressure our international correspondents are currently under and is offering Sophie all the support she needs,' a statement read. 

'Sophie is grateful for the outpouring of support she has received from the public and wishes to reassure our viewers that she is safe and well.'

Walsh said she was 'shaken but ok' following the terrifying incident.  

'The man has been arrested for threats to kill and carrying a weapon. I’m shaken but ok,' she said.

'Big thanks to my incredible cameraman Jason Conduit who chased him down armed with a light stand and got him arrested.'

Walsh was covering protests that spread to the UK following nine days of fiery riots in the US after Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin, 44, allegedly murdered George Floyd, 46. 

In widely circulated footage of his arrest, Mr Floyd was seen on the ground with his hands cuffed behind his back as Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. 

It comes less than two days after Seven News reporter Amelia Brace was attacked by United States police while reporting on George Floyd protests in Washington D.C

It comes less than two days after Seven News reporter Amelia Brace was attacked by United States police while reporting on George Floyd protests in Washington D.C

Mr Floyd begged for Chauvin to take his knee of his neck, repeatedly saying: 'I can't breathe'. 

The alleged attack on Walsh comes less than two days after a Seven News reporter was attacked by United States police while reporting on George Floyd protests in Washington D.C.

An officer was filmed using his shield to smash Sunrise correspondent Amelia Brace's cameraman Tim Myers in the middle of her live cross to the studio before another officer hit her in the back with his baton. 

Brace said they were both hit by rubber bullets prior to the altercation, as police used batons and tear gas to push hundreds of protesters back away from the White House.

Brace shouted, 'We're media!' as officers targeted her and Myers.

'Cameraman Tim Meyers and I are both okay. Pretty bruised, but okay,' Brace later told Channel 7. 

Amelia Brace was reporting on the riots from Washington before she was targeted. Ms Brace is originally from Queensland but moved to the US as a correspondent for Channel Seven

Amelia Brace was reporting on the riots from Washington before she was targeted. Ms Brace is originally from Queensland but moved to the US as a correspondent for Channel Seven

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Nine news reporter Sophie Walsh 'is grabbed by man' as she broadcast George Floyd protests in London

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