- Tragic Loss of Ian Coates
- Heartbreaking Impact on Friend and Family
- Tributes and Vigil for Victims
Early Tuesday morning, three persons were fatally stabbed in the city, including the caretaker. His death shook the community and left his longtime friend in shock.
Ian Coates, the school caretaker who was murdered in the Nottingham attacks, was described as a “selfless man” and “brilliant bloke” by an old friend.
Ben Dutton was 13 years old when he met Mr. Coates, who was a custodian at a “rough school”
Now 33 years old, Mr. Dutton stated, “What’s happened has broken my heart… It killed me.”
Ben learned Mr. Coates’s love of fishing and soon took the kids fishing after school with his own money.
Mr. Dutton commented, “He established a fishing club and taught us the fundamentals in the classroom. He would then pay out of his pocket to take us on a bus excursion and fishing.
“We are all the children. up until the age of 15/16.”
Mr. Dutton praised the “selflessness” of the Huntingdon Academy custodian, stating that he “just gave everything to those kids so they could have a chance.”
As a professional angler and fishing business owner, Mr. Coates’ connection with Mr. Dutton endured.
Mr. Coates was “extremely proud” of his accomplishment, and as the years progressed, he joined Mr. Dutton’s fishing crew.
The 65-year-old man was expected to retire in a few months, according to his loved ones.
Mr. Dutton disclosed that they were going on vacation in July and characterized Mr. Coates as “very enthusiastic” about it.
Mr. Dutton also said, “I’ve just resolved everything.” “He stated that he would not be carrying his teeth with him. That was his nature. We’re currently in turmoil over it.”
He added, “You cannot fathom that this has occurred to us, his family, and him. I’m unable to accept what has happened to him; it’s destroying me inside.”
Mr. Dutton closed the store early today so that he and his employees could attend the vigil for the three victims of the attack.
Ross Middleton, the headmaster of Huntingdon Academy, spoke at the vigil and stated that Mr. Coates played a “crucial role in keeping our children and colleagues safe” during COVID and “always put the children first.
“His time, dedication, and caring nature endeared him to the entire school community, and we will all fondly remember him,” he continued.
Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both pupils at the University of Nottingham and both aged 19 years old, were the other two victims.
Nottinghamshire Police reported that a 31-year-old man was tasered and detained on suspicion of murder following the stabbing deaths of three people.
Police declared a significant incident after two students were discovered dead in the street at 4 a.m. on Tuesday on Ilkeston Road, and Mr. Coates was discovered approximately two miles away on Magdala Road.
It is also believed that the suspect seized Mr. Coates’ van and drove it into pedestrians on Milton Street.
In the van attack, three persons were injured, with one in critical condition and two suffering minor injuries. After stopping the vehicle, police used a stun pistol to apprehend the suspect.
