Completely selfless’ journalist Tom Jackson stabbed in face trying to help backpacker hostel murder victim

A British journalist has suffered horrific injuries to his face, head and torso trying to save Mia Ayliffe-Chung as she fled her alleged attacker during a terrifying ordeal at a Queensland hostel.

It's believed Tom Jackson, 30, drew the attention of the alleged attacker, Smail Ayad, by going to the aid of the dying Ayliffe-Chung in an act the police have described as “completely selfless”.

Ayad, 29, was charged over Ayliffe-Chung's death on Thursday but won’t appear in court in person on Friday due to concerns about his behaviour and the public’s safety.

Police allege French national Ayad attacked officers while under guard as he was being moved from hospital to the Townsville watch house.

It's claimed officers were forced to user tasers and capsicum spray during the incident.

Ayad is understood to have been staying in the same room as Ayliffe-Chung at the Home Hill backpacker hostel in Queensland before the alleged attack.

It is believed Ayad developed an infatuation with Ayliffe-Chung and he allegedly dragged her from her bed on to the balcony late Tuesday night, where he allegedly stabbed her repeatedly while screaming “Allahu Akbar”.

Mr Jackson was one of 12 people injured in the stabbing attack alongside a German Shepherd dog. The 30-year-old later died seven days after the attack.

When Ayad re-entered the hostel moments later, he allegedly attacked Jackson after finding him trying to help Ayliffe-Chung.

“There is no doubt Mr Jackson attempted to render aid to Mia,” Superintendent Ray Rohweder told the The Courier Mail.

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“His subsequent actions were absolutely fantastic and I have no doubt that his actions on that day, as selfless, completely selfless as they were, led to the injuries.”