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Second British backpacker dies after Queensland attack

A British traveller injured trying to save a fellow backpacker as she was stabbed to death in Australia has died, Queensland Police has said.

Thomas Jackson, 30, of Cheshire, was injured when he tried to help Mia Ayliffe-Chung, 21, from Derbyshire, in the attack at a hostel last week.

Frenchman Smail Ayad, 29, has been charged with murdering Ayliffe-Chung and attempting to murder Jackson.

Police said this charge would be changed to murder.

The backpacker suffered critical head injuries as he went to the aid of Ayliffe-Chung, from Wirksworth, Derbyshire. Police described his actions as “selfless”.

A spokesman for Queensland Police said Jackson had died in the Townsville Hospital, the BBC reported.

Ayad is alleged to have stabbed Ayliffe-Chung and to have caused the injuries which led to Jackson’s death at the Shelley’s Backpackers accommodation, as well as harming 12 police officers.

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