Hero Rabbi blocks killer

SYNAGOGUE TERROR: 2 KILLED IN HOLY DAY KNIFE RAMPAGE

- BY PHIL CARDY, CHRIS HUGHES and HOLLIE BONE

A HERO rabbi barricaded the doors of a synagogue to stop a suspected terrorist continuing his knife rampage inside after two men had been killed at the gates.

Horrified witnesses told how the holiest day in the Jewish calender turned into a bloodbath, amid fears of copycat attacks across the country.

It was not known last night whether the killer - named by police as Jihad al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent - operated alone or was part of a wider network.

It came amid speculation the attack may be linked to Gaza or Islam.

The thug was shot dead by police after he drove his car at worshippers on Yom Kippur before launching the knife killing spree at 9.31am - which also injured three other men.

Armed officers who rushed to the scene believed he had a bomb strapped to his body, but it turned out not to be the case.

Amid the carnage, rabbi Daniel Walker was pictured with blood on his clothing.

One local said a pal saw the attacker crash his car into the gates of Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, in Crumpsall, Greater Manchester. Chava Lewin added: "At first she thought he'd had a heart attack. Then he got out and started stabbing everyone he could get to.

"Rabbi Walker was incredibly calm, he shut the doors to the synagogue to stop him getting inside. He barricaded everyone inside. He is a hero, this could have been even worse."