🔗 Share this article

Shocked witnesses have detailed the "terrifying" event occurring as a car and stabbing assault left two people deceased and three others wounded outside a synagogue in Manchester.

Police reported a car was targeted towards members of the public in the incident in Crumpsall and a man - suspected as the perpetrator - was shot by armed police and is also thought to be dead.

A driver explained he saw what initially seemed to be a accident before noticing there was a person carrying a knife.

"It looked like a vehicle involved in a collision, so we initially assumed it was a typical accident, but when we got a bit closer we spotted a man severely injured on the floor. He was unresponsive, believed deceased," he stated.

"Subsequently there was a man in front of the car, he was sprawled on the pavement, and there were a few people in the roadway."

The man, who identified himself as Gareth, reported to a media outlet: "A person yelled 'the suspect is near the educational institution or place of worship' and then as we looked over the guy had a knife and he was attacking the glass, attempting to enter [the building], and within seconds the law enforcement arrived."

"They gave him a couple of warnings, he failed to comply, so they opened fire. He fell to the ground and then he attempted to stand and then they discharged their firearms again."

The assault occurred on Yom Kippur, the important religious observance in the Jewish tradition, in a neighborhood with a significant Jewish population.

Recording shared on online platforms seemed to depict authorities directing weapons at someone laying on the ground outside the entrance to the building.

The police with guns shouted at witnesses to "retreat" and "move on"

The suspect on the ground is seen attempting to stand before there is the sound of a gunshot and they collapse.

Another person was depicted unmoving on the pavement outside the synagogue gates with a bloodstain near their skull.

• Ongoing coverage accessible on several news platforms

A different observer, Shah, who lives behind the synagogue, recounted seeing a automobile "driving rapidly and driving straight for the people."

"Subsequently I had observed a person leap from the car and sort of running towards the bystanders," he said.

"It was a little bit traumatizing to be fair. And then following that I slowed down a moment just to see what was going on and to notify first responders."

"And the man was appearing with a weapon and he just started going on a bit of a rampage."

"It's quite terrifying to be completely honest."

Area inhabitant Olivia Gold said she had friends who attend the synagogue.

She informed a news agency: "It was likely very, very crowded. I am a local resident, but I've visited to show solidarity. It's currently only police performing their duties."

"I went outside to understand the situation because I noticed three helicopters."

"It's just horrendous. We're a quiet community, just leave us alone. We don't want any of this."

"In my opinion the officers' actions has been highly commendable. They got here really, really quickly."

Chava Lewin, who identified as a observant Jewish person, lives next door to the religious building.

She stated: "I was outside and detected a banging sound and I assumed it might be a firework."

"I spoke to an individual who explained she was driving and saw a car swerving dangerously and it struck the entrance [of the synagogue]."

"Immediately after he exited the car he started stabbing anyone near him. He attacked the guard and sought access to the synagogue. He was in the grounds."

"Someone barricaded the door. Everyone is in complete disbelief."

Another man said religious services had commenced when the attack happened but the clergy member, who was officiating, kept his cool and he and others guided the attendees to security.

He added: "These people embody true heroes."