Man fighting for his life after being struck by van in Nottingham horror attack that saw students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar and primary school caretaker Ian Coates stabbed to death is from Newark

A man fighting for his life in hospital after being rundown by a van in the Nottingham horrors of Tuesday is reportedly from Newark.

Family have identified the man as Wayne Birkett, a 58-year-old father, from Newark, but living in Nottingham.

Mr Birkett is said to be critically injured with severe head injuries following the attack of two days ago that left three people dead.

The Mirror reports, Mr Birkett's brother Shaun told the newspaper that the family were 'just waiting for Wayne to open his eyes', and described his sibling as a 'down to earth man who would do anything for anyone'.

His niece, who did not want to be named said Mr Birkett was still unconscious and his family were “worried sick”, adding: “He's still not awake so we don't know what happened. It's all been a nightmare.”

The Mail reports Mr Birkett works for lightning protection company ABB Furse and is originally from Newark-on-Trent.

He was said to have got off the bus one stop earlier than normal so he could walk to his workplace near the city's train station.

Police have been granted more time to question a 31-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering three people in knife attacks in the city early on Tuesday.

Two 19-year-old University of Nottingham first-year students, Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, were stabbed to death in Ilkeston Road and primary school caretaker Ian Coates in Magdala Road.

Mr Coates’ van was then suspected to have been stolen and driven at Mr Birkett in the Milton Street area.

The driver then tried to run over two other pedestrians in the Sherwood Street area who are believed to have suffered minor injuries.

Police then detained the suspect by using a taser when the vehicle was stopped.

Families of the three who died joined hundreds of students at a vigil at Nottingham Uni on Wednesday.

Another vigil is planned for Old Market Square in Nottingham for tonight, beginning at 5.30pm.