Eyewitnesses describe Manchester synagogue attack

Two people were killed and three others were injured outside a synagogue in Manchester, while another three were wounded during the shooting in Crumpsall. Police said that a man, believed to be the perpetrator, was shot by firearms officers and is now dead.

A delivery driver said he initially thought he was witnessing a car accident before realising there was a man with a knife.

"We thought it was a normal crash, but when we got a little closer, we discovered a man bleeding on the ground. He was unconscious and appeared to be dead," he said.

"Then there was a man lying on the ground in front of the car, and there were a few people on the street. Somebody shouted, 'He's in the school or the synagogue!' and then we realised the man had a knife and was stabbing at the window, attempting to enter the building. The police arrived within seconds."

"They gave him a few warnings, but he ignored them," the witness said. "He collapsed on the ground, then he started to get up, and they shot him again."

The assault took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, in a part of the city with a large Jewish population. According to police, a large number of people were worshipping in the synagogue at the time. They were kept inside for their safety until the immediate area was secured, after which they were evacuated. A bomb disposal team was also sent to the scene on suspicion that the perpetrator was carrying an explosive device.

A video shared on social media appeared to show police officers pointing guns at someone lying on the ground outside the synagogue's front door. Armed officers shouted at onlookers to get back. The person on the ground is seen getting up before the sound of a gunshot is heard, and they fall to the ground. Another person was found dead outside the synagogue gates with blood near their head.

Shah, a witness who was behind the synagogue, described a car "rushing past and going straight for the members of the public."

"I saw a man leap out and run towards the people after that," he said. "It was quite distressing, to be fair. I slowed down a bit to see what was going on and called the emergency services."

"The man just ran out with a knife and was on something of a spree. To be honest, it's quite terrifying."

Olivia Gold, a local resident, said she had friends who attended the synagogue. "It would have been very busy," she told the PA news agency. "I live around the corner, but I've walked over to offer my assistance. It's now just the police doing their job."

"I heard three helicopters and went out to see what was going on. It's just horrendous. We're a quiet neighbourhood; leave us alone. We don't want any of this. I think the police reaction has been absolutely brilliant. They got here very, very quickly."

Chava Lewin, who described herself as a religious Jew, lives next door to the synagogue.

"I was outside and heard a banging sound, which I thought might have been a firework," she said.

"I spoke to someone who was driving and saw a vehicle moving erratically before it crashed into the gates [of the synagogue]. He got out of the car and started stabbing anyone near him. He shouted for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue. He was in the courtyard."

"Someone barricaded the door. Everyone is in utter shock."

Another man said prayers had started when the attack occurred. He noted that Rabbi Daniel Walker, who was leading the service, remained calm, and others led the congregation to safety. He added: "They are true heroes."

"A lot of people were confused at first; they didn't really know what was happening," a local shop worker explained. "There was a lot of misinformation floating around. It's been quiet today because I suspect a lot of people are just staying indoors."

"News seems to be getting around about what's happened now, but I think a lot of people are just shocked. We get a lot of Jewish customers here. It's obviously going to affect them."