Andrew Franks, a security guard who tackled a knife-wielding terrorist outside a Manchester synagogue despite being stabbed three times, has spoken publicly for the first time as the anniversary of the attack approaches. He has been honoured with a Pride of Britain Award for his actions.
Mr Franks, a chef from Bury, was volunteering at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall on October 2 last year when Jihad Al-Shamie launched his attack. Despite suffering injuries so severe he nearly died three times, Mr Franks managed to trip up the terrorist and alert worshippers inside, buying them vital time to barricade the doors.
Attack on Yom Kippur
Mr Franks said he had been volunteering as a security guard at the synagogue for around a year and was called in to cover at the last minute on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. He said he noticed a man standing alone outside shops across the road, taking photos of the synagogue, and felt something wasn't quite right.
He told the Daily Mirror: "When I arrived in the morning, I noticed a guy standing on his own outside the shops. It was odd because he was taking photos of the synagogue. I had a strange feeling something was going to happen. I was keeping an eye on him. Something wasn't quite right."
The man, later identified as Al-Shamie, asked security guards if he could park his car at the synagogue and was refused. Mr Franks said the man then began shouting about Jews and stumbled off, prompting him to tell the guards to dial 999.
Stabbed Three Times
At around 9.30am, Al-Shamie rammed his car into the synagogue's gates. Mr Franks ran to help, not realising the attacker had already killed someone and was carrying a knife. He said: "I went to grab him and thought he stabbed me once, although I found out it was three times. It felt like my ear was hanging off. He was wearing what looked like a suicide belt, but it turned out to be false."
Mr Franks managed to trip up the terrorist as he ran towards the synagogue, then got up and shouted "lock the doors". He was chased and attacked again but escaped and was let inside. Al-Shamie pounded on the doors and smashed pots against them, but was shot dead by firearms officers. A stray round passed through the doors, killing Mr Daulby, an old school friend of Mr Franks, and injuring congregant Yoni Finlay.
Father's Heroic Efforts
Mr Franks' father, Ellis Franks, was inside the synagogue and held his son's wounds until medics arrived. He said: "Blood was pouring and pouring out, it was a flood. I got some tissues and I pressed against his ear. I didn't know he'd been stabbed in the neck. I held it there until the bleeding slowed, then he started going in and out of consciousness. Later, the consultant said I'd saved his life."
Mr Franks, whose wife Rama died last March after battling cancer for 15 years, has been part of the synagogue community his whole life. He has not yet been able to return to work for the NHS Greater Manchester Mental Health Unit and is still receiving treatment for his injuries. Inquests were opened after the atrocity, but the Chief Coroner for England and Wales, Judge Alexia Durran, has recommended they be converted into a public inquiry because there is classified MI5 intelligence to review.
Sir Stephen Watson, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, paid tribute to Mr Franks' bravery, saying: "Andrew Franks was very bravely seeking to fend off the attacker and prevent him from entering the synagogue and committing further acts of terrorism. Thank goodness he was there because despite sustaining awful injuries, his actions undoubtedly prevented further loss of life."
