3 godzin temu
Adrian Daulby, who died heroically defending a Manchester synagogue from attack, was remembered as a "quiet man" who became a "tremendously strong hero" at his funeral. The 53-year-old leaped from his seat to block doors against knife-wielding attacker Jihad Al-Shamie during last Thursday's assault on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue. Daulby was killed alongside Melvin Cravitz, 66, as the attack unfolded on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Family members, synagogue congregants and the wider Jewish community gathered at Agecroft Jewish Cemetery in Salford for the 35-minute service. Rabbi Daniel Walker, who witnessed the attack, delivered the eulogy describing how Daulby sat "in his usual seat, where his late father and grandfather had sat, at that terrible moment when evil struck".
Emotional funeral tributes
Rabbi Walker told mourners that Daulby was "a true righteous man" who transformed from a quiet person into a hero when danger struck. "I watched him leap from his seat, run to the door. He braced the doors and he held the doors against our attacker," the rabbi said. "Adrian didn't run away from danger. Adrian ran to help."
The rabbi described Daulby as "a kind soul, a gentle soul" and declared him "a great, great martyr" who was "saving the lives of his community". One of Daulby's nieces fought back tears to tell mourners: "He died a true hero. We just want you to know how loved you were." A second niece added: "Our tradition teaches us, to save a single life is to save the world. Adrian did just that."
Personal background revealed
Neighbours described Daulby as someone who loved animals, nature and local children, even giving Muslim youngsters presents at Eid. He had survived cancer, lived alone and visited the synagogue more frequently after his father's death a few years ago. Rabbi Walker revealed he had visited the synagogue and found it "frozen in time", with Daulby's prayer book still open on the page from when Al-Shamie struck.
Ongoing investigation
Daulby is believed to have been inadvertently shot dead by armed police as they responded to stop the attacker. Al-Shamie had driven his car at worshippers outside, attacked others with a knife and attempted to storm the synagogue while wearing a fake suicide belt.
Four people arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts remain in custody after police were granted five additional days to question them. They include two men aged 30 and 32, and a woman aged 61, all arrested in Prestwich, plus a 46-year-old woman arrested in Farnworth. An 18-year-old woman and 43-year-old man arrested in Farnworth were released with no further action.
Three men remain hospitalised with serious injuries, including a security guard with car-impact injuries and a Community Security Trust worker with stab wounds. Al-Shamie, 35, who was on bail for alleged rape, was shot dead by police during the incident. Counter Terrorism Policing North West is leading the investigation, with authorities suggesting Al-Shamie may have been influenced by an extreme Islamist mindset.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
