Eyewitnesses described Manchester synagogue attack

Shocked eyewitnesses have described the “horrendous” scene unfolding as a car and stabbing attack left two people dead and three others injured outside a synagogue in Manchester.

Police said a car was driven at members of the public during the incident in Crumpsall and a man – believed to be the offender – was shot by firearms officers and is also believed to be dead.

A delivery driver said he saw what first appeared to be a car crash before realising there was man with a knife.

“We thought we could see a car that had crashed, so we just thought it was a normal collision, but when we got a bit closer we saw a guy bleeding out on the floor. He was just unconscious, presumed dead,” he said.

“And then there was a guy in front of the car, he was lying on the floor, and there were a few people standing in the road.

The man, who gave his name as Gareth, told BBC Radio Manchester: “Somebody shouted ‘he’s in the school or the synagogue’ and then as we looked over the guy had a knife and he was just stabbing the window, trying to get in [the building], and within seconds the police arrived.

“They gave him a couple of warnings, he didn’t listen, so they opened fire. He went down on the floor and then he started getting back up and then they shot him again.”

The attack took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, in a part of the city with a large Jewish community.

Video shared on social media appeared to show police officers pointing guns at someone laying on the ground outside the front of the synagogue.

The armed officers shouted at onlookers to “get back” and “move on”.

The person on the ground is seen starting to get up before there is the sound of a gunshot and they fall to the ground.

Another person was shown lying motionless on the ground outside the synagogue gates with blood near their head.

Another witness, Shah, who lives behind the synagogue, described seeing a vehicle “just sort of rushing past and driving straight for the members of the public”.

“After that I had seen a man jump out and sort of running towards the people,” he said.

“It was a little bit traumatizing to be fair. And then after that I slowed down a little bit just to see what was going on and to try and call emergency services.

“And the man was just running out with a knife and he just started going on a bit of a rampage.

“It’s quite terrifying to be completely honest.”

Local resident Olivia Gold said she had friends who attend the synagogue.

She told the PA news agency: “It would have been very, very busy. I live around the corner, but I’ve walked around to give support. It’s now just police doing what they do.

“I came out to see what was happening because I heard three helicopters.

“It’s just horrendous. We’re a quiet community, just leave us alone. We don’t want any of this.

“I think the response by police has been absolutely brilliant. They got here really, really quickly.”

Chava Lewin, who described herself as a religious Jew, lives next door to the synagogue.

She said: “I was outside and heard a banging sound and I thought it might be a firework.

“I spoke to someone who said she was driving and saw a car driving erratically and it crashed into the gates [of the synagogue].

“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 said prayers had started when the attack happened but Rabbi Daniel Walker, who was leading the service, remained calm and he and others led the congregation to safety.

He added: “They are true heroes.”