Watch British man chase down ‘Ukrainian knifeman’ by the streets of Amsterdam after horror stabbing rampage – as thriller surrounding identification of hero continues
- Do YOU know who the mystery hero is? Email emily.davies@mailonline.co.uk
This is the dramatic moment a hero British tourist sprinted after a knifeman who stabbed five people in Amsterdam.
The mystery man – in his 30s – appeared to have a military or policing background several eyewitnesses have said, and he has been held ‘the hero of the Dam’.
In dramatic footage exclusively obtained by MailOnline the man is seen running athletically along Gravenstraat in central Amsterdam hot on the heels of the knifeman.
A group of people stood outside a tattoo parlour look on stunned as the dramatic chase takes place and the Briton is also followed by two locals on an electric bike.
His arms pumping, he quickly catches up with the attacker identified as a Roman D by Dutch authorities – a 30-year-old Ukrainian – and then sits on him in a street just off the city’s famous Dam Square.
Dressed in jeans, with white trainers and a hoodie, he can be seen using a belt as makeshift handcuffs and in another telling sign, his feet are dug into the body of the knifeman preventing him from moving.
At all times he remains calm and assured and has hardly broken into a sweat as he calmly tells astonished onlookers to move along, while he waits for police.
The British man was recognised for his bravery by the mayor of Amsterdam, who gave him an award for his ‘heroic’ actions.
Despite the commendation, mystery has surrounded his identity. Witnesses told MailOnline that his skills and technique in apprehending the knifeman hint that ‘he had done it before’ and possibly had training in combat.
This is the dramatic moment a hero British tourist sprinted after a knifeman who stabbed five people in Amsterdam
A group of people stood outside a tattoo parlour looking stunned as the chase takes place
Dressed in jeans, with white trainers and a hoodie, he can be seen using a belt as makeshift handcuffs and in another telling sign, his feet are dug into the body of the knifeman preventing him from moving
One eyewitness told MailOnline: ‘This guy was a hero; he stopped the man so quickly and professionally.
‘I was watching from the sandwich shop where I work, and he kicked the man’s ankles and when he fell on the floor he sat on him to stop him moving.
‘It looked like he was using a belt to restrain his hands but the way he remained calm and cool and didn’t made it obvious to me he was either a policeman or security, maybe a soldier.’
The theory he may have some sort of security background was also given credence by Amsterdam mayor Femke Haslema.
She met him on Friday afternoon, a day after the attack and awarded him a heldesnspeld or ‘Hero’s Pin’ in recognition of his heroics.
Ms Haslema said: ‘I thanked him for his actions, and he was very modest, he said he didn’t want to go public and didn’t want his name revealed.
‘All I can tell you is that he was British and that he was very concerned for the victims. His actions were very brave. Instinctively he thought something bad is happening here.’
On Saturday it emerged one of the victims – a 26-year-old Polish man – has been discharged from hospital.
The knife rampage near the historic Dam Central Square left five injured
Police officers gather not far from the area after the stabbing near Dam Square
But four others, two Americans a man aged 69 and woman aged 67, a 19-year-old local woman and a 73-year-old Belgian woman remained in hospital.
Amsterdam police spokesperson Eline Roovers told MailOnline: ‘The British man did everything by the book, his actions were perfect, and he did everything in the right sense.
‘He has asked that no personal details be revealed and all I can tell you is that he was here on holiday.’
She added the suspect – who was from the Donetsk region of Ukraine would be brought before a magistrate on Tuesday for a preliminary hearing and no motive had been established.
Police said he was armed with multiple knives and he had been staying at a hotel close to the scene of the attack.
The Mayor of Amsterdam welcomed the British man, who did not want his name to be made public, at her official residence to thank him for his actions.
A spokesperson for the mayor said: ‘Mayor Halsema received the man who overpowered the suspect at the official residence this afternoon.
‘She spoke to him and of course thanked him for his heroic actions.
‘He indicated that he does not need media attention at this time and is mainly concerned about the victims.’
Police officers stand behind a cordoned off area after the stabbing near Dam Square
Authorities said in a statement that no motive had yet been established for the attack and the victims may have been targeted at random.
‘The police investigation is in full swing and has full priority at the moment,’ Ms Halsema said in a statement on Thursday.
‘We hope to soon get more clarity about the background of this horrible stabbing.’
She added: ‘Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and loved ones.’
Last year, the city experienced several stabbings attributed to people with mental health issues.
Amsterdam set up a hotline last month for residents to report concerns about irrational behaviour.
