The father of a student killed in the Nottingham attacks has said the survivors also deserve answers from a public inquiry into what happened. Wayne Birkett, Sharon Miller and Marcin Gawronski were all seriously injured after Valdo Calocane hit them with a stolen van in the city centre on 13 June 2023. Earlier that morning, he fatally stabbed students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, and caretaker Ian Coates, 65. Grace's father, Sanjoy Kumar, described the pedestrians as "living victims" and said everyone affected by the attacks was "united" ahead of a judge-led public inquiry announced earlier in the year. Dr Kumar's comments came after Ms Miller, 46, and Mr Birkett, 61,shared their stories for the first timeand explained how they feel a strong sense of survivor's guilt. Mr Birkett said: "I would have swapped my life for one of those poor students - without a doubt. "It was awful hearing what happened to them [in the court case]. What happened to me was nothing compared to that." While Ms Miller added: "When I heard what had happened to Barnaby or Grace, I thought, 'I wish he'd took me instead of them'. "They were so young and still had their lives ahead of them - you just feel so guilty." Dr Kumar said: "We all within this process have a sense of guilt. "I wasn't there on the night to protect my daughter. There are all kinds of complex emotions from everyone who's involved in this case. "The families all suffer from a whole wide range of post-traumatic stress disorder and one of the characteristics is guilt. "Our friends also suffer with guilt and feelings like survivors do - it's really quite amazing how far-reaching the feelings of despair are. "We are united in trying to find why these preventable attacks happened." Calocane, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia before the attacks,was sentenced to a hospital order in January 2024after admitting three counts of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and three counts of attempted murder. The case has prompted a number of reviews, includinga mental health homicide reviewcommissioned by NHS England. And earlier this year, Ms Miller and Mr Birkett, alongside the families of Mr Webber, Ms O'Malley-Kumar and Mr Coates, were invited to Downing Street to discuss plans for a judge-led public inquiry. They both plan to engage fully with the inquiry,set to be chaired by Her Honour Deborah Taylor, and hope it will provide answers that lead to meaningful changes to help prevent similar incidents in the future. Dr Kumar said: "Our children shouldn't have died, there were failures across the system that were preventable. "We are going to make sure that this inquiry is as wide-reaching as possible." Follow BBC Nottingham onFacebook, onX, or onInstagram. Send your story ideas toeastmidsnews@bbc.co.ukor viaWhatsAppon 0808 100 2210.
Nottingham attacks survivors 'deserve answers too'
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Families of Nottingham Attack Victims Call for Public Inquiry Answers"
Bbc News
7.3
TruthLens AI Summary
The aftermath of the Nottingham attacks, which resulted in the tragic deaths of two students and the serious injuries of others, has sparked a call for a public inquiry that addresses the experiences of all affected individuals. Wayne Birkett, the father of one of the injured survivors, expressed that the survivors, alongside the families of the deceased, deserve answers regarding the circumstances surrounding the incidents that took place on June 13, 2023. During this violent event, Valdo Calocane, who was later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, fatally stabbed students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both aged 19, and caretaker Ian Coates, aged 65, before using a stolen van to attack other pedestrians. Birkett and fellow survivor Sharon Miller have shared their emotional struggles, including feelings of survivor's guilt and a desire for accountability and preventative measures to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
Dr. Sanjoy Kumar, Grace O'Malley-Kumar's father, emphasized the shared trauma experienced by families and survivors, noting that many are grappling with complex emotions, including guilt and despair. He highlighted the importance of the upcoming public inquiry, which is set to be led by Her Honour Deborah Taylor, and the hope that it will reveal systemic failures that contributed to the attacks. Both Birkett and Miller plan to actively participate in the inquiry, which follows a series of reviews, including a mental health homicide review initiated by NHS England. They, along with other families affected by the attacks, have been vocal about the need for meaningful changes to ensure such preventable incidents do not occur in the future. The families are united in their mission to uncover the truth behind the events and advocate for improvements in mental health support and public safety measures, stressing that their children should not have lost their lives due to failures in the system.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent report on the Nottingham attacks highlights the emotional turmoil faced by survivors and the families of the victims. The narrative centers around the calls for accountability and the need for answers through a public inquiry, led by the perspective of those impacted by the tragedy. The statements from survivors and family members reveal deep feelings of guilt and a shared desire for understanding the events that led to the attacks.
Purpose Behind the Publication
The article appears to serve the purpose of amplifying the voices of survivors and victims' families, pushing for a public inquiry to address their concerns. By focusing on their emotional struggles, the report seeks to create a sense of urgency and empathy among readers, thereby fostering public support for the inquiry. This aligns with a broader goal of ensuring justice and accountability in light of the tragic events.
Community Perception
The narrative fosters a perception of solidarity among those affected by the attacks. It portrays the survivors and families as a united front seeking answers, which may encourage community engagement and support for their cause. This approach can also lead to a heightened awareness of mental health issues, particularly regarding survivor’s guilt and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Potential Omissions
There does not appear to be any overtly hidden agendas in the article, but it may downplay broader societal issues related to mental health care and the judicial system's response to individuals with mental health diagnoses like paranoid schizophrenia. By focusing primarily on personal narratives, there could be less emphasis on systemic factors that may have contributed to the attacks.
Manipulative Aspects
The emotional weight of the survivors' statements may lead to a manipulation of public sentiment. While these narratives are valid and important, the framing could evoke a sympathetic response that may overshadow other critical discussions, such as preventive measures for future incidents or the treatment of individuals with mental health issues.
Truthfulness of the Report
The report appears to be grounded in truth, providing direct quotes from those affected by the events. However, the emphasis on emotional narratives may skew the broader context of the tragedy, potentially limiting readers' understanding of the complexities involved.
Societal Implications
This narrative could lead to increased public scrutiny of mental health services and public safety measures. Additionally, it may provoke discussions regarding the criminal justice system's handling of mentally ill offenders, influencing policy and funding decisions.
Supportive Communities
The report may resonate more with communities advocating for mental health awareness, victim rights, and public safety. It appeals to those who prioritize emotional narratives and the human aspect of crime and trauma.
Impact on Financial Markets
While this news may not have a direct impact on financial markets or specific stocks, companies involved in mental health services or public safety solutions could see increased interest as discussions surrounding these topics gain momentum.
Global Context
The article does not address broader geopolitical issues, but it reflects ongoing concerns about public safety and mental health that resonate in many societies today. It is relevant to current discussions about how communities respond to violence and trauma.
Use of AI in Reporting
While it is possible that AI tools may have assisted in drafting or editing the article, the emotional depth and personal anecdotes suggest that human writers primarily crafted the content. The language used is designed to evoke empathy and may not indicate AI manipulation.
In conclusion, the report serves to highlight the emotional narratives of those affected by the Nottingham attacks, pushing for a public inquiry while fostering community empathy and awareness. The emotional framing may have manipulative elements but is grounded in truth, promoting discussions on mental health and public safety.