NOTTINGHAM ATTACKS: Cricketers and fans pay tribute at the Ashes
A moment of silence was held before the national anthems.
Last updated 16th Jun 2023
Three people stabbed to death in Nottingham have been remembered ahead of the start of England's first Ashes Test against Australia.
Two of the victims - university students Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber - were keen cricket players- before they were killed on Tuesday morning.
Players from both England and Australia wore black armbands to "show solidarity" as they took to the field at Edgbaston.
A moment's silence was also held before the national anthems.
In the 56th over, England's Barmy Army are asking the crowds to join in for a rendition on Amazing Grace.
19-year-old students Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber were found stabbed to death in Nottingham's Ilkeston Road at around 4am on Tuesday.
Dedicated school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, was then found dead in Magdala Road after his van was allegedly stolen by the suspect.
Edgbaston was told Grace and Barnaby were "widely respected in cricketing communities".
All three victims have been remembered for their love of sport as tributes told of how Grace O'Malley-Kumar had played cricket for the Essex U15 team, Barnaby Webber had played the sport for his school and local clubs, and Ian Coates had been a lifelong Nottingham Forest fan.
Nottinghamshire Police were granted a further 36 hours to question the suspect after he was Tasered and arrested following the incidents.
The force said a man was seriously injured after the stolen van was driven at him in Milton Street.
The force has referred a further incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) watchdog after a marked police car followed the vehicle for a short distance before it struck another two pedestrians in Sherwood Street.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust said two patients are now stable and one has been discharged following the van attacks.
The IOPC confirmed it was "assessing the referral to decide what further action may be required".
The 31-year-old suspect was arrested at 5.30am when the van was eventually stopped.
Police revealed that the suspect is a former University of Nottingham student, but said "this is not believed to be connected with the attack".
On Thursday, the heartbroken mothers of the two students urged the city to "hold no hate" at the emotional vigil in Nottingham on Thursday.
The mother of history student Mr Webber, Emma Webber, fought back tears as she told the crowd that the "monstrous individual" responsible for the deaths "will not define us".
Medical student Ms O'Malley-Kumar's mother, Sinead O'Malley, echoed the sentiment of holding no hate and urged the crowd: "Be kind to each other, look after each other, don't have hate in your hearts."
Crowds stretching back almost half a kilometre watched on with tears in their eyes as family members from all three victims delivered powerful, heart-wrenching tributes to their loved ones.