Tom Jackson nominated for Pride of Australia Award after Home Hill stabbing

TOM Jackson, the British journalist who died after he tried to save a fellow backpacker, has been nominated for a Pride of Australia Award.

Tom Jackson died after being critically injured when he came to the aid of a British backpacker during the Home Hill stabbing.

SELFLESS hero Tom Jackson, who died after he tried to save a fellow backpacker, has been nominated for a Pride of Australia Award.

Tom Jackson.

Mr Jackson, a British journalist, was critically injured trying to save Mia ­Ayliffe-Chung during a stabbing at Shelley’s Backpackers in Home Hill, south of Townsville, in August.

Mr Jackson, 30, was stabbed in the face, head and torso after he went to the aid of Ms Ayliffe-Chung who suffered multiple stab wounds.

Ms Ayliffe-Chung, 21, died. Mr Jackson was critically injured in the attack but passed away after his family turned off his life support at Townsville Hospital about a week later.

Mr Jackson’s organs were donated.

French national Smail Ayad, 29, has been charged over the attacks. He has since been transferred to a mental health facility in Brisbane.

Regional Crime Co-ordinator Detective Superintendent Ray Rohweder described Mr Jackson’s ­actions on the night as “completely selfless”.

State Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has also nominated Mr Jackson for a posthumous bravery award.

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