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Patient's Kindness Thwarts Bomb Plot
25 Mar
Summary
- Patient talked terrorist out of detonating a bomb.
- Attacker asked for a cuddle before surrender.
- Hero awarded George Medal for bravery.
In an extraordinary act of compassion, patient Nathan Newby averted a potential tragedy at St James's Hospital in Leeds on January 20, 2023. Mr. Newby, a patient himself, engaged in a conversation with Mohammad Farooq, who intended to detonate a homemade bomb in the maternity wing.
Farooq, a self-radicalized lone-wolf terrorist, targeted the hospital due to a grievance with staff. Mr. Newby's quick thinking and empathetic approach, including offering comfort and conversation, ultimately persuaded Farooq to de-escalate. The attacker even asked for a cuddle before instructing Mr. Newby to call the police.
Mr. Newby's heroic actions, which prevented numerous casualties, have been recognized with the George Medal, the second-highest civilian gallantry award. He humbly described his intervention as being "just in the right place at the right time," emphasizing his desire to prevent harm to others.
