Two young athletes who unfortunately died in a knife incident in the English city of Nottingham have received tributes.
Both University of Nottingham students Grace O’Malley Kumar and Barnaby Webber were targeted last morning, June 13, about 4 a.m.
After that, authorities connected all three deaths, with school caretaker Ian Coates’ body being discovered less than two miles away.
A 31-year-old guy has been detained on murder suspicion.
The outstanding hockey player Kumar, a 19-year-old medical student, played for England at the under-16 and under-18 levels.
She was a talented cricketer who represented Essex and Woodford Wells CC while playing hockey for Southgate Hockey Club in London.
“We are all deeply saddened by the news of the tragic death of Grace Kumar in Nottingham on Tuesday,” an England Hockey statement said.
“Grace was a popular member of the England under-16 and under-18 squads and our thoughts are with Grace’s family, friends, team-mates and the whole hockey community at this time.”
Southgate Hockey Club added: “It is with profound sadness that we have learned of the death of Grace O’Malley Kumar, a huge talent and much loved member of Southgate under-18s and W1s.
“We are shocked and devastated by the news, our thoughts and sincere condolences are with Grace’s family, friends and team-mates.”
Essex said Kumar was a “massive talent while part of our junior programme, a respected captain and awesome team-mate”.
Webber, a Taunton native who is also 19 and a cricket player for Bishops Hull Cricket Club, was chosen for the university team.
“Webbs joined the club back in 2021 and has since then been a key part of our club and made such an impact in such a short space of time,” Bishops Hull said.
“Playing more than 30 games for the club, scoring 622 runs, and taking 29 wickets, his memory will live on.”
Webber was described as a “young cricketer gone too soon” by former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan.
Police think the perpetrator stole Coates’ van before crashing it into three individuals at a bus stop, resulting in their hospitalization.
He was tasered, detained, and the van was stopped.
The Nottingham Open, a grass court tennis tournament and Wimbledon warm-up, is still going on in the city.
Before today’s play began, spectators were requested to observe a moment of silence.
Following the attacks, two-time Olympic champion and three-time major champion from Britain, Andy Murray, who is in the field, remarked, “There are more important things than tennis.”
