Shearer West

The fathers of two university students killed in attacks in Nottingham have paid emotional tributes to them in a vigil attended by thousands of people.

Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, were killed in the Early Hours of Tuesday, along with school caretaker Ian Coates , 65.

Mr Webber's father David said: " I'm lost for words, I've lost my Baby Boy . "

Sanjoy Kumar said: " Grace and her friend, they fell Together . . She loved being Here . . look after each other. "

The Vigil was held at the University of Nottingham, where Mr Webber read history and Ms O'Malley-Kumar studied medicine.

In a moving speech, student union community officer Daisy Forster told the families The City 's students would support them, adding " we will always be Here when you need us".

The Reverend Grant Walton, from the university chaplaincy, described the deaths as " one of those moments which we hoped we'd never encounter" while the university's vice-chancellor, Professor Shearer West , said the lives of The Victims had been " curtailed" by a " seemingly random" act of violence.

Both students were keen and talented sportspeople and their university team-mates, wearing sports kit, were among The Crowd assembled to remember them.

Mr Webber, of Taunton, Somerset, played hockey, rugby and cricket and Ms O'Malley-Kumar played hockey and cricket.

Mr Coates , whose sons had earlier left tributes at The Scene of his death, was also remembered at The Event .

Flowers were laid for the pair, killed as they walked home after a Night Out .

Speaking through tears, Mr Webber's father told The Crowd : " I cannot comprehend how I Am going to deal with it.

" Myself and Emma and Charlie and His Family and Friends . . I know Barney would be super-touched by everyone that's Here .

" He loved it. He loved it Here . He couldn't wait to come back. It drove me mad.

" His heart will be With You guys forever and Thank You so much. I really can't talk much more. "

He handed the microphone to Mr Kumar, Who Said The Crowd who turned out for The Vigil was " a lovely sign of the university and The Bond you have".

He Said his daughter loved being a student and was full of stories of her time at university.

Taking pauses to gather himself, he told The Crowd : " The love that we have Out Here , I just wish we had it everywhere. So, look after each other is the big thing.

" Look after Your Friends and look after people around you. It is so important. "

Prof Shearer West told The Crowd : " What should have been a time of celebration and relaxation following The Exam period has become a time to mourn tragic loss in The Most unimaginable of circumstances. "

She Said the university was supporting both students' families, adding support was available to any students or colleagues affected by The Tragedy .

The university and communities across Nottingham had come Together in " grief and remembrance of two much-loved students" She added.

Visiting The Scene where Mr Coates was found fatally stabbed, his sons Lee and James Coates said their dad was due To Retire in four months.

" He used to take under-privileged kids fishing just to get away from crime. You genuinely couldn't find a nicer guy, " Lee said.

The attacks began with the fatal stabbing of students Mr Webber and Ms O'Malley-Kumar in Ilkeston Road , with police receiving a call at 04:04 BST.

Officers believe Mr Coates - who was found dead from knife injuries in Magdala Road - was then attacked, with his van being stolen and used to hit pedestrians in Milton Street , leaving one critically injured.

A 31-year-old man was Tasered by officers before being arrested on suspicion of murder.

Source of news: bbc.com