Synagogue attacker's terrifying five words to hero rabbi as he stopped him breaking in

A rabbi hailed as a hero for preventing a rampaging terrorist from entering his Manchester synagogue has spoken out for the first time since two of his congregants were killed.

Rabbi Daniel Walker, who has been the spiritual leader of the Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue since 2008, has revealed how the knifeman shouted, "I'm going to get you", as he tried to break inside the place of worship.

Witnesses said Rabbi Walker remained "incredibly calm" even as Jihad Al-Shamie, who was thought to be wielding an active explosive device at the time, rammed worshippers before trying to stab "everyone he could see".

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Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, was hellbent on getting inside and repeatedly tried to break through the makeshift barricade. As he did, he threatened the terrified people inside, who had gathered to worship on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur.

Rabbi Walker was visibly emotional as he recalled Al-Shamie looking at him, saying: "I'm going to get you".

Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were confirmed as the two fatal victims of yesterday's attack. There are three more individuals in critical condition in hospital.

Yesterday, a friend of an eyewitness told the Daily Mail about the rabbi's heroic actions

They said: "My friend saw him crash the car near the synagogue. At first she thought he'd had a heart attack. Then he got out and started stabbing everyone he could get to.

"Rabbi Walker was incredibly calm, he shut the doors to the synagogue to stop him getting inside. He barricaded everyone inside. He is a hero, this could have been even worse."

Rabbi Walker has been spiritual leader of the congregation since 2008, and also serves as co-chair of the community and interfaith committees of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester. He is also the chairman of The Friendship Circle a charity which "enriches the lives of Jewish children and adults with physical and learning disabilities".

Dad-of-three Yoni Finlay was also praised for bravely helping to stop the 35-year-old knifeman from getting. It's understood he needed hospital treatment.

A friend claimed that he suffered an injury to his stomach from either a stray police bullet or debris after it hit the door.

Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, was shot dead by armed officers minutes after stabbing two men to death.

A friend of Mr Finlay reportedly said: "We heard Yoni was one of those who was bravely helping to barricade the door from the inside to stop the terrorist gaining entry into the synagogue. He was taken to hospital because he was injured either from a stray police bullet or from shrapnel and flying glass caused when the bullet hit the door. We don't know the full details.

"We don't know how serious he is either but are hoping that he will be ok. He suffered wounds to the side of his stomach below his ribs and around his waist."

A member of the Heaton Park Synagogue, who knew Mr Finlay, told the Mail: "My wife saw him being taken into an ambulance on a stretcher. As far as I know he's undergoing surgery this evening. We don't yet know how he is but are hoping he'll be ok."