Rabbi Daniel Walker has paid a heartfelt tribute to the two men killed in the terror attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Synagogue in Crumpsall on October 2. Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53, died after terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie drove his car into a group outside the synagogue before attacking others with a knife and attempting to storm the building.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Rabbi Walker described the victims as 'very special men' and 'family men' who were loved by their community. 'Adrian was a very quiet man, a man of great dignity, always with a smile, always kind,' he said. 'Melvin was a wonderful man, a family man, well known across the whole community, always happy to help.'
Rabbi Walker recalled the moment he realised the attacker was trying to enter the synagogue. He praised Mr Daulby's quick actions in closing a door, which he believes saved lives. 'His reaction time and instincts, reflexes, he leaped up and closed the door closest to where he and I were, and I think that possibly saved quite a lot of lives,' he said.
The attack occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Three other men were injured. The inquest into the deaths of Mr Cravitz and Mr Daulby is due to open before a coroner.
