Tears for Nottingham attack victims as city stands united in grief: Heartbroken families of two university students, both 19, and school caretaker, 65, who were stabbed to death at random in knife and van rampage join crowd of thousands at vigil
The families of the victims of the Nottingham attacks have come together united in their shared grief at a vigil today attended by thousands of students.
Barnaby Webber, 19, Grace O'Malley-Kumar, 19, and Ian Coates, 65, were all killed in a knife and van rampage yesterday.
Pictures from the scene on the University of Nottingham campus show thousands mourners from all walks of life huddled together holding flowers.
In heartbreaking scenes, Grace's father Dr Sanjoy Kumar, who previously saved the lives of three teenagers who were stabbed in a gang attack near his surgery, was pictured embracing Barnaby's brother, Charlie.
Addressing the huge crowd, Dr Kumar thanked everyone who had come to the vigil and said it was a 'lovely sign of the university and the bond you have'.
He remembered how Grace had loved being in Nottingham and was full of stories of her time there. After a brief pause, he added: 'So look after each other is the big thing, look after your friends and look after people around you.'
Barnaby's father David also spoke, saying: 'I'm lost for words, I've lost my baby boy. I know Barney would be super touched by everyone here. His heart will be with you guys for ever.'
Grace O'Malley Kumar and Barnaby Webber's fathers speak during today's vigil at the University of Nottingham
Addressing the huge crowd, Dr Kumar thanked everyone who had come to the event and said it was a 'lovely sign of the university and the bond you have'
The devastated family of Grace O'Malley-Kumar, 19, sat in the front row at the vigil
Dr Sanjoy Kumar and his wife Sinead have been pictured at today's vigil
Grant Walton, from the university chaplaincy, began the vigil by saying: 'This is one of those moments which we hoped we'd never encounter.
'Students and staff of the university, community members and, most importantly, family and friends of precious Grace and Barnaby, some travelling many miles to be with us.'
The university's vice-chancellor Professor Shearer West said the lives of the two 19-year-olds had been 'curtailed' by a 'seemingly random' act of violence.
It comes as some students said they were living in fear after the murderous attacks.
One student claimed there is now an 'unsafe feeling' around the neighbourhood and said the thought this could happen to anyone at random is 'terrifying really'.
Another argued it is 'really scary' that the attack was carried out in such a 'busy part of the city'.
Nervous students today told MailOnline how their parents are coming to collect them to bring them home and those who are staying are too frightened to go out at night.
Those studying at the University of Nottingham say they are cutting short their summer to return home after yesterday¿s horrific attack. Students and locals are pictured at the vigil yesterday
Amelia Haxby, 19, who is studying nutrition and dietetics, said: 'I was supposed to be going back home to Doncaster next month, but my parents called yesterday and wanted me to come back now.
'I have to say that I've been here for two years and always thought of Nottingham as a safe city but what happened yesterday has really shaken me. My dad's going to pick me up at the weekend and I'll go back with him.
'I've walked down Ilkeston Road plenty of times, even at night, but I'm going to think twice about doing that now.
'If I do walk back, I'll make sure I'm in a big group of people.
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