A neighbour who lives next door to Heaton Park synagogue has told how a car ‘driving erratically’ crashed into its gates before “stabbing anyone near him” during the horror attack.
Two people have been killed and a suspect shot dead by police outside the synagogue on Middleton Road in north Manchester, with a major incident being declared. Three others remain in a serious condition.
It is believed the suspect was shot because it was thought he had a device, or devices, on his person. It hasn’t been confirmed whether they were authentic or viable devices. The attack took place during the Jewish festival of Yom Kippur.
As armed police remained at the scene this lunchtime, the neighbour told how a man got out of the car and ‘started stabbing anyone near him’.
She said he tried to get into the synagogue, but those inside barricaded the door, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Chava Lewin, who described herself as a religious Jew, told of hearing a loud bang she thought initially might be a firework.
Ms Lewin said: “I was outside and heard a banging sound and I thought it might be a firework. My husband went outside and then ran back inside and said ‘there’s been a terrorist attack’.
“I spoke to someone who said she was driving and saw a car driving erratically and it crashed into the gates (of the synagogue).
“She thought maybe he had a heart attack. The second he got out of the car he started stabbing anyone near him. He went for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue. He was in the courtyard.
“Someone barricaded the door. Everyone is in utter shock.”
Another man, meanwhile, said prayers had started when the attack happened, but told how Rabbi Daniel Walker, who was leading a service inside at the time, remained calm as he and others led the congregation to safety.
Join our Court and Crime WhatsApp group HERE
He added: “They are true heroes.”
A police statement said: “We can confirm two people have died following the major incident outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, Middleton Road, Crumpsall. A third person, a man believed to be the offender, was shot by GMP firearms officers and is also believed to be deceased.”
Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here
They said his death could “cannot currently be confirmed due to safety issues”, citing “suspicious items on his person”.
“The bomb disposal unit has been called and is now at the scene. Three other members of the public remain in a serious condition.”
