Daniel Richards said he held Mia in his arms as she died in the Home Hill hostel. Photo / via Facebook
Daniel Richards said he held Mia in his arms as she died in the Home Hill hostel. Photo / via Facebook
A British tourist has recalled the moment he held his dying friend in his arms after witnessing "the most horrific crime imaginable", one he expects to relive every day for the rest of his life.
Daniel Richards, from Clydach Vale in Wales, told a north Queensland community he will never erase the memory of the sickening murder of fellow UK backpackers Mia Ayliffe-Chung and Tom Jackson at a local hostel.
"It happened a year ago to you guys, but for me it happens every day," said the former retail assistant in a speech at a memorial in Home Hill, 100km south of Townsville.
Tom Jackson, left, was killed trying to protect fellow British traveller Mia from an alleged stabbing attack by a French tourist. Photo / Supplied
"The images and memories will never go away from that night for me. What I took from it is knowing Mia did not die alone in that bathroom - I held her chest, I talked to her, comforted her and sadly told her everything was going to be okay."
Frenchman Smail Ayad, who was also staying at the hostel and working at a nearby farm, has been accused of murdering the pair in a stabbing frenzy on 23 August, 2016, and is being held in a mental health facility. The 29-year-old had reportedly become obsessed with Mia, who was weeks away from her 21st birthday.
Daniel said watching the murders that night had "changed a lot of people's lives", including his own, and "there is not a day goes by that I don't think of Mia, Tom and their families". He begged the town not to forget what had happened to this "stunning, vibrant, fun loving" young woman and the hero who tried to protect her.
"Two amazing young people come to Australia for the experience of a lifetime, what people only dream of, sadly they were murdered by a sick, twisted mentally ill man that night," said Daniel. "Tom was viciously stabbed but put up the biggest fight imaginable.
Two families were destroyed that frightful night and many more people were affected, including myself and all the backpackers who were there that night.
"I have good days and really bad days but I'm alive and breathing and I'm so thankful I get to speak and see my amazing family. Unfortunately Rosie [Mia's mother], Les and Sandra Jackson [Tom's mum and dad] don't have that privilege. That pains me so much."
Daniel, from Wales, gave a heartbreaking speech at a memorial in the north Queensland town where Tom and Mia died. Photo / via Facebook
Daniel said he relives the memories of that awful night every single day. Photo / via Facebook
Daniel's emotional words come as the UK Government issued a warning to travellers visiting Australia on working holiday visas to get in contact if they felt unsafe, as "occasionally issues can arise". Britons were reminded they should contact the UK's National Crime Agency office in Canberra directly to report any illegal behaviour by an employer or accommodation owner.
Like many backpackers, Mia and Tom were trying to complete 88 days of regional work within their first year to obtain a visa to stay in Australia for a second. But travellers have reported being lured to hostels where there is no work, being underpaid or not paid at all, having their passports confiscated and having to live and work in unsafe conditions. Even more disturbingly, there have been reports of sexual harassment, intimidation and assault.
Mia's mother Rosie has been leading a campaign since her daughter's death to improve conditions for young working backpackers and prevent exploitation. "What I've learnt about the events leading up to Mia's death has been harrowing," she wrote in a blog post on Medium this week. "But that doesn't mean I feel vengeful, or bitter, or destructive.
"The will for change is out there, on the ground, all over the country. A migrant nation who appreciate the need to keep the next generation of would-be settlers safe, and to give them the respect they deserve. This energy needs to be co-ordinated, and it needs to be done now. No more reports, or committees, or legislation, or deliberation ... Australia, you need to organise."
Smail Ayad, 29, was arrested for the attack after allegedly becoming obsessed with Mia and is being held in a mental health facility. Photo / News Corp
In his speech yesterday, Daniel thanked the people of Home Hill for rallying together after the tragedy despite being in "total shock", singling out locals who helped support the backpackers with food and days out "when everyone was feeling crushed and lost".
Others joined in the tributes on Rosie's Facebook page. "A year already ... 365 days and counting without hearing that laugh of yours, seeing that cheesy smile, & looking for a missing pair of boots that made they're way onto your feet hahaha," posted Mia's friend Jesse Tawhi from Surfer's Paradise. "The strong, sassy feisty girl we all loved ... the world is missing out, not a day goes by where we don't think of you Mi."
Taylor Paquette added: "Mia ... can't believe it has been a year. Your mum Rosie is making you extremely proud and reminding us of you every single day xx."
Atessa Kolanowska said: It's been a year since we lost Mia in most tragic circumstances. It's also been a year since Tom's family and friends had to face the tragedy of his heroic death.
Mia's mother Rosie Ayliffe has been running a campaign since her death to improve conditions for working backpackers in Australia. Photo / via Facebook
