Bourke St victim Rodney Patterson tells of stabbing

Tassie businessman Rodney Patterson says he was offering help as Bourke Street horror unfolded when he was stabbed in the head.

Rodney Patterson, centre, with daughter Lisa, left, daughter-in-law Brooke, son Todd and wife Maree, far right.

A victim of yesterday’s Bourke Street terror attack has described being stabbed in the head, as a fuller picture emerges of Hassan Khalif Shire Ali’s rampage in Melbourne’s CBD.

Rodney Patterson, 58, is recovering from his injuries in The Alfred hospital. The Launceston businessman was offering help to others involved in the car and knife attack when he was stabbed.

“Yesterday, whilst out with my wife Maree enjoying another great day in Melbourne, a city that we love, we were unfortunately caught up in the incident on Bourke Street,” Mr Patterson said in a statement released this afternoon.

Launceston man Rod Patterson.

“I went to assist and whilst doing so received a knife wound to my head.”

Beloved Melbourne cafe owner Sisto Malaspina, 74, was stabbed to death by Shire Ali, who had driven a ute laden with gas cylinders down Bourke Street before it burst into flames. The Somalian-born terrorist, who was known to state and federal authorities for his radicalised views, was shot by police and later died in hospital.

Another of his stabbing victims is recovering in hospital.

Two men injured in the horrific #BourkeStreet attack in #Melbourne are now stable in hospitalhttps://t.co/q5oPgeszcv#MelbourneAttack pic.twitter.com/ltLdlJ2l6J

— The West Australian (@westaustralian) November 10, 2018

Mr Patterson, a retired Autobarn franchisee, served as president of the South Launceston Football Club, the Hobart Mercury reports.

He has praised the care he had received.

“I am receiving fantastic care at The Alfred. We both appreciate everyone’s support during this difficult time, and our thoughts are also with the other victims, families and police officers involved.”

Premier Will Hodgman said: “A nicer bloke you wouldn’t meet.”

“It’s not surprising he would step in to help others, we all wish him well.”