A security guard who rushed to a burning car to lend a hand during Melbourne's Bourke Street attack has recounted how he was set upon by a knife-wielding terrorist.
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Shadi, 26, on Wednesday gave his personal account of the confrontation which left him fearing for his life.
"I thought there were innocent people in the vehicle. I tried to go to assist and then I realised I didn't know what was going on," he said in a video recalling Friday's events.
"There was a loud explosion, everyone screaming, running. Then out of nowhere, I got attacked ... from the guy running around stabbing people."
In an unsteady voice, the Hampton Park man, who didn't want to give his surname, said his main concern was to prevent more people getting hurt.
But then he also fell victim to 30-year-old Hassan Khalif Shire Ali.
"He stabbed me, tried to kill me. He hit me in the neck. Luckily I got away," Shadi said.
"I just had to get out of there. If I stayed, different story. I am very lucky to be alive."
Shadi said he noticed emergency personnel arriving to apprehend the knifeman as he held his jacket around his neck to stop the bleeding.
Released from hospital on Monday, he also offered his personal thanks to a police officer who held his neck all the way in the ambulance to keep pressure on the wound.
The constable, who had only been out of the police academy for five months, shot Shire Ali and reportedly stemmed the blood on Shadi's neck before accompanying him to hospital.
A long-time aspiring officer himself, Shadi said he was more determined than ever to join the force.
"No-one deserves to get hurt in our city," he said.
"What happened on Friday just makes me want to protect and serve the public."
Shire Ali's attack killed much-loved Melbourne restaurateur Sisto Malaspina, 74.
Tasmanian businessman Robert Patterson, 58, was also injured in the incident and was released from hospital on Tuesday.
Shire Ali, whose passport was cancelled by authorities in 2015 amid concerns the Somali-born man would try to go to Syria to fight for Islamic State, was shot by police and died later in hospital.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp praised Shadi for putting his life on the line for others, adding she would nominate him for a bravery award.
"Shadi showed incredible bravery ... despite his own injuries he put his life on the line to help and protect others during this terrifying and tragic event," Ms Capp said.
SecureCorp managing director Harrie Veerman praised his employee Shadi for his efforts and thanked those who helped him.
Australian Associated Press
