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Kent man Chris Porter among injured in attack in which backpacker Mia Ayliffe-Chung died

A man has been charged after a Medway backpacker was injured during a frenzied knife attack in which a woman was killed at a hostel in Australia.

Mia Ayliffe-Chung was fatally stabbed on Tuesday by a French man who allegedly shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ during the savage attack.

Queensland police last night confirmed that a Smail Ayad, 29, had been charged with Mia's murder plus two counts of attempted murder, 12 counts of serious assault and one count of serious animal cruelty.

Chris Porter picture: Facebook
Chris Porter picture: Facebook

Mia's friend, Chris Porter, 22, who is from High Halstow, Rochester, tried to save her during the assault, but as a result, suffered a leg injury.

According to his foster mother, Mr Porter is in a fragile state and is now considering returning to Britain.

Kim Porter, who has fostered him for 10 years, and lives in a converted barn on a private road in High Halstow, said: “As far as I know he’s okay.

“He’s in a stable condition he’s just a bit fragile at the moment.

“We don’t know what the plans are at the moment. I don’t know if he’s coming straight back.

“She wasn’t his girlfriend. She was just a friend.”

Mia Ayliffe-Chung picture; Facebook
Mia Ayliffe-Chung picture; Facebook

Ms Porter added: “I can’t speak any more, because it’s under investigation

“He’s okay, just a bit fragile at the moment. We all are.”

Police were called to Shelly’s Backpakers hostel at about 11.15pm last night and the alleged knifeman is a 29-year-old French national who has been in the country on a temporary visa since March.

Witnesses said he was seen loudly singing the French national anthem before carrying out the attack.

He was also apparently caught on police body camera shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’, meaning God is great, as he was taken into custody.

Mia, an only child set of on her travels almost a year ago and is originally from the Derbyshire area but has relations, including her dad, living in London.

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