Heaton Park Hero: Stabbed Three Times, Still Saved Hundreds in Terror Attack

Andrew Franks, a hero security guard, has bravely recounted the harrowing details of the Yom Kippur terrorist attack on October 2 last year, where he confronted and tackled knife-wielding terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie. Despite being stabbed three times, suffering life-changing injuries to his head, neck, spine, and face, Mr. Franks selflessly shouted warnings to congregants inside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue, preventing further bloodshed.

Mr. Franks, a chef from Bury who had been volunteering as a security guard for about a year, first grew suspicious when he observed Al-Shamie loitering outside a row of shops across the road from the synagogue, taking photos. On Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, Al-Shamie attempted to park his car at the synagogue. After being turned away, he began shouting anti-Jewish slurs. Minutes later, around 9:30 AM, Al-Shamie rammed his car into the synagogue's gates, initiating his murderous assault.

Running to assist, Mr. Franks bravely confronted the assailant, initially unaware that Al-Shamie had already killed one person and was armed with a knife. During the struggle, he was stabbed three times, describing the sensation as if his ear was hanging off, while Al-Shamie yelled threats and anti-Semitic remarks. Al-Shamie also appeared to be wearing what looked like a suicide belt, which later proved to be false. Despite his severe injuries, Mr. Franks managed to trip Al-Shamie as he ran towards the synagogue. Then, incredibly, he stood up and shouted, "lock the doors," to alert those inside.

This heroic act bought vital time for worshippers to barricade the doors. Mr. Franks was subsequently chased and attacked again by the terrorist but managed to escape back into the synagogue, where his 80-year-old father, Ellis Franks, held his son's wounds, stemming the severe blood loss. Al-Shamie continued to pound on the doors and smash pots in a desperate attempt to gain entry, but he was eventually shot dead by firearms officers who raced to the scene.

Tragically, the attack resulted in the deaths of Melvin Cravitz, 66, who was stabbed outside, and Adrian Daulby, 53, an old school friend of Mr. Franks, who was killed by a stray round that passed through the doors during the police intervention. Congregant Yoni Finlay was also injured by a stray round, and security guard Bernard Agyemang was struck by Al-Shamie's car. Andrew Franks himself nearly died three times due to his extensive injuries and received an immediate blood transfusion on the street before being rushed to hospital for critical care. His father, Ellis, was later told by a consultant that his quick actions had saved Andrew's life.

For his selfless courage, Mr. Franks will be honored with a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Award for Outstanding Bravery at a star-studded gala. Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Sir Stephen Watson, lauded Mr. Franks, stating that his actions "undoubtedly prevented further loss of life" and confirmed that the attacker's motive was "purely to attack these people simply because they were Jewish." Inquests into the atrocity have been recommended to be converted into a public inquiry by the Chief Coroner for England and Wales, Judge Alexia Durran, to review classified MI5 intelligence. Andrew Franks, who has a teenage daughter Tamara and tragically lost his wife Rama to cancer last March, remains unable to return to work for the NHS Greater Manchester Mental Health Unit and continues to receive treatment for his life-altering injuries, serving as a testament to his extraordinary bravery in the face of terror.