Tasmanian man seriously injured in deadly Melbourne attack

UPDATED: A TASMANIAN man is being hailed a hero after intervening to try and stop the Melbourne terror attack.

A car on fire on Bourke St during the deadly incident. Picture: Chris Macheras

A TASMANIAN man is being hailed a hero after intervening to try and stop the Melbourne terror attack.

Launceston man Rod Patterson, 58, was stabbed during a frenzied knife attack on Bourke St in Melbourne’s CBD, which has tragically claimed the life of one man.

ROLLING COVERAGE OF THE BOURKE ST TERROR ATTACK

Mr Patterson was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition after the incident shortly after 4pm on Friday afternoon but is expected to make a full recovery.

In a Facebook post shortly after 8pm, Mr Patterson’s wife Maree confirmed he had been stabbed in the incident.

“Unfortunately we got caught up in the attack in Bourke Street this afternoon and Rodney was hurt — good news is he is in a great hospital and doing OK given the circumstances — can’t take calls at the moment but will speak to everyone when I can,” she wrote.

“Thanks to everyone for their wishes and caring.”

Rod Patterson, second from left, with family members daughter Lisa, left, daughter-in-law Brooke, son Todd and wife Maree.

Mr Patterson was president of the South Launceston Football Club when it won the TSL premiership in 2013.

The businessman had recently retired from his job as Launceston Autobarn franchisee and had just returned from an overseas holiday.

Rodney Patterson during his time as president of the South Launceston Football Club.

Labor State Franklin MP and former South Launceston footballer David O’Byrne said: “It’s not surprising that someone like Rod would not just be a bystander and that he would try to help out.

“My thoughts are with his family and I wish him a speedy recovery.”

Premier Will Hodgman said everyone’s thoughts were with a “brave Tasmanian, his family and friends”.

“A nicer bloke you wouldn’t meet,” he said.

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

A friend told the Mercury Mr Patterson was a selfless man, a good Samaritan and would be the first bloke to step in when another person was in trouble.

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