A young British backpacker who was stabbed to death as a knifeman
went on a rampage at an Australian hostel was "infectiously happy",
friends said today.
Mia Ayliffe-Chung, 21, was knifed in a frenzied attack in front of
more than 30 people by a man who was allegedly shouting "Allahu Akbar"
in Queensland.
A 31-year-old British man was also left fighting for his life and a
dog was stabbed to death at Shelly’s Backpackers in the small town of
Home Hill, south of Townsville.
A 29-year-old French man is now in police custody over the killing.
A third man, who intervened, was also stabbed in the leg but his
wounds were not life-threatening and he was released from hospital
following the attack last night.
Police are investigating whether the arrested man – who had been in
the country for several months – has anylink to terror organisations.
Ms Ayliffe-Chung, who worked at The Bedroom nightclub, in Surfers
Paradise on the Gold Coast, had been in the area for 10 days and was
planning to find work as a fruit picker.
Staff at the venue told local media she was intent on returning to
the bar after carrying out a required three-month fruit-picking stint in
Home Hill so she could extend her holiday visa.
Ms Ayliffe-Chung, originally from Wirksworth in Derbyshire, was
described by friends and colleagues as “full of energy” and “an
infectiously happy young girl”.
Close friend Kyle Godwin wrote on Facebook: “Today the world has lost
one of the most beautiful young women to ever walk this planet.
“Today I lost a best friend. A girl like no other, one of the
happiest, full of energy, delightful, energetic and hilarious girl I've
come across.
“Even though I've only known you for a short amount of time it feels
like we have been best friends for years, we just seemingly clicked and
were like two peas in a pod.
Another friend Rowan Clark said: “Mia was an infectiously happy, young girl, and will be missed dearly.”
Hannah Weisskopf-Biggs described Ms Ayliffe-Chung as “a beautiful and soulful girl”.
Writing on Facebook, she said: “Just can't believe it. Mia
Ayliffe-chung was too young and such a beautiful & soulful girl. My
thoughts and prayers are with her family.”
Monique Cross, an Australian friend of Miss Ayliffe-Chung, said: "She
was a gorgeous person. It's an awful tragedy - I can't believe it."
Tom Paenga wrote on Facebook: "R.I.P Mia. I know that I will not find
someone like you again, so happy, so motivating, in good times and in
bad times always you were drawing a smile..."
On her Facebook page, Ms Ayliffe-Chung had shared pictures and videos
of her time in Queensland, including selfies after long days of farm
work and of her time spent working in the nightclub.
She is said to have studied psychology and childcare in the UK.
Supt Ray Rohweder said police were confronted by a “terrible scene” when they arrived at the hostel after the attack at 11.15pm.
Two officers ordered the attacker, who had injuries to his arms, to
lay on the ground and grabbed the knife he used in the attack.
Queensland state Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Golleschewski told
reporters: “Initial inquiries indicate that comments which may be
construed as being of an extremist nature were made by the alleged
offender..
“We’ve had three people stabbed, one deceased, one critically injured. It’s a shocking attack by any standards.”
The arrested man, who has been in Australia on a temporary visa since
March, was also caught on police body camera shouting ‘Allah Akbar” as
he was taken into custody.
The man was taken to Townsville Hospital to be assessed for mental
health and drug issues as anti-terror police began their investigation
into the horrific crime.
No charges have yet been laid.
