Family of mother killed in Maida Vale knife-crash horror say arrested 'driver' is a 'hero'

The family of a mother of two knifed to death in west London yesterday have said the man believed to have been driving the car that ran over her attacker is a "hero."

Wafah Chkaifi's was stabbed ten times in Maida Vale yesterday while on the school run.

Her family claims police knew about Ms Chkaifi's killer, Leon McCaskre, dubbing him an "abusive monster."

The man who is believed to have been behind the wheel of a car which hit her attacker has been arrested.

The family of Ms Chkaifi have said that the man believed to be responsible for the death of her attacker has their thanks and say he shouldn't be sent to prison.

"We want to thank him. Thank you for doing something," they said to The Daily Mirror.

"For not just recording it. He shouldn't be in prison. Our family is very proud of him. He is a hero."

Her son said: "She didn’t deserve to die please keep her in your prayers. Everyone who knew her knew she was a good person."

Paramedics and police officers tried to save Ms Chkaifi as well as the attacker.

Both of them died at the scene.

A man who witnessed the awful incident said: "The driver had both of them under his car – the guy and the girl. Me and two geezers had to lift the car up and drag her body out. We were giving her CPR but she had stab wounds everywhere. We couldn't stop the blood."

Raad Jiyad, who also saw the grotesque horror said: "I woke up to drive my child to school and I heard some noise, someone saying 'Please help me, please help me'. I opened the door and saw a girl in the street on the floor and a guy with a knife."

Mr Jiyad, 52 and a Dad of two, sprinted out to attempt to distract the attacker who he said was armed with a 4 inch knife.

Mr Jiyad said the man sat on his victim, shouting ‘take it’ and ‘nobody come to me’ as he stabbed her repeatedly.

Witnesses said the attacker was left pinned under the vehicle and the woman was also hit, with her coat trapped under a wheel.

The 52-year-old father of two ran out to try to distract the attacker who he said was brandishing a 4in kitchen blade. Another onlooker who tried to intervene was chased off by the knifeman.

Eyewitness Mulugeta Asseratte added: "It is a very terrible incident and for it to happen on a Monday morning.

"I was coming up from the bakery to Chippenham Road and suddenly heard shouts of 'stop it, stop it' and it was a girl being attacked by a gentleman.

"All of a sudden it moved to the street and no sooner than they reached the street than a driver came and hit both of them.

"We were all shocked and shouting and my heart goes out to the families of this fatal incident. This is something one sees in movies, not in real life."