died a hero
Who was Nottingham attack victim Grace Kumar and what happened to her?
She had hopes of going into the same profession as her father
GRACE Kumar was just 19 when she was fatally stabbed in Nottingham.
The university student was one of three victims who were horrifically killed on June 13, 2023.
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Who was Nottingham attack victim Grace Kumar?
Grace Kumar was a Nottingham University medical student.
She played hockey for England U18s as well as for London’s Southgate Hockey Club and the Old Loughtonians in Chigwell.
The 19-year-old was one of two University of Nottingham teens who were tragically stabbed to death on June 13, 2023.
Grace’s funeral took place at Westminster Cathedral on July 21, 2023, and was attended by over 1,000 guests.
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During the funeral, her father Dr Sanjoy Kumar described his daughter as an “angelic girl”.
He said: “No father should be called upon to give a eulogy for their child.
“It’s not the natural order of things.
"It generally means something really unnatural has taken place and unfortunately for me, my beloved daughter Grace has been taken away from us.”
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What happened in Nottingham?
On June 13, 2023, police rushed to Ilkeston Road just after 4am after witnesses heard "blood-curdling screams".
Grace and Barnaby Webber, both 19, were the first two victims named.
Heartbroken family members pay tribute to Nottingham rampage victim who died a hero as hundreds attend student’s funeral
The pair were making their way home to student accommodation from a nightclub on the morning they died.
It is understood Barney and Grace met through their shared love of hockey.
The teens were said to be just five minutes from home when the horror unfolded.
This was understood to be when Grace and Barnaby were killed.
Police were then called to Milton Street where the stolen van was used to run over three people - leaving one man in critical condition and two others suffering minor injuries.
She heroically and valiantly fought you. Like a hero she put herself in harm's way
Dr Sanjoy Kumar
This is where third victim Ian Coates is believed to have been knifed to death.
The van was then stopped on Maple Street where a man was tasered and arrested on suspicion of murder.
Valdo Calocane was identified as the man responsible.
It was later revealed that Grace gave her life to try to save pal Barnaby as she tried to fight Calocane off.
Dr Sanjoy Kumar praised his daughter as a hero who shunned the opportunity to run away.
He said: "She bravely intervened. She would never leave a friend in adversity. It was not in her nature.
"She heroically and valiantly fought you. Like a hero she put herself in harm's way.
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"But unfortunately because of the weapon you carried she stood no chance.
"You showed yourself to be a cold, cowardly and calculating killer. You casually walked away, leaving my child lying in the street."
What we know about the June 13, 2023, events
- "Major incident" declared in Nottingham and six roads closed
- Police confirm two people found dead on Ilkeston Road just after 4am
- Another man also found dead on nearby Magdala Road in city centre
- Three others injured - one critically - after van tried to mow them down on Milton Street
- Witness tells of hearing gunshots before cops swarmed van on Maple Street, seeing a man arrested on suspicion of murder
- A second witness recalled the horrific moment she discovered the first victim of the attack
- Terror cops with assault rifles raid home on Ilkeston Road
- Cops reveal they're not looking for anyone else in connection to tragedy
- It was revealed the Nottingham suspect is a foreign national with "mental health issues";
- Police say they believe the suspect stole the van before mowing people down
- Grace Kumar and Barnaby Webster were named as victims of the attack
- Timeline reveals how horror unfolded
- Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pays tribute to victims
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