Family of British backpacker stabbed to death in Australia pay touching tribute

• Report by ITV News Correspondent Ben Chapman

The family of a 21-year-old British backpacker who was stabbed to death in Australia have paid an emotional tribute.

The woman, named locally as Mia Ayliffe-Chung, died in the attack at a hostel in Queensland.

Her suspected attacker - a French tourist - yelled "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest) during the attack and as he was arrested, Queensland Police said.

A statement released by Mia's mother, Rosie, said she "was an outstanding friend to many, and dearly loved by the children of our community."

Another Briton, Tom Jackson, 30, is fighting for his life after he was critically injured in the attack.

A dog that lived at the hostel was also stabbed to death, while a 46-year-old local resident named as hostel manager Grant Scholz suffered non-life threatening injuries.

In the statement released on Wednesday afternoon, her mother described Mia as "kind and funny... clever, sassy with a sense of fun".

Ms Ayliffe-Chung, originally from Derbyshire, had been working at a bar in Surfers Paradise, in Australia's Gold Coast.

She had moved to the rural area of Townsville just days before the attack to complete three months of farm work needed to extend her Australian working holiday visa.

A friend of the family told ITV News Ms Ayliffe-Chung's mother was "distraught" at the death of her only child, with who she spoke earlier that day.

Amy Browne, 19, who had worked with Ms Ayliffe-Chung in the Gold Coast, said she "got along with everyone she met".

Ms Ayliffe-Chung's boyfriend, Jamison Stead, 23, told ITV News she was a "beautiful soul" who was always looking out for people".

"I can't quite get my head around what's happened. Truly devastated, more just disbelief that this has happened", he said.

"It's something you hear about but never think that it would happen to someone you were close to.

"She was a beautiful girl who had her whole life ahead of her and we spoke of what the future may hold in store for her and what she wanted to do. It's sad knowing that she won't be able to do those things".

Lyn McLaughlin, the mayor of Burdekin, told ITV News the whole community was "in shock".

She added that it was a "welcoming place" that embraces tourists and backpackers to the area.

Anthony Gell School in Wirksworth, where Ms Ayliffe-Chung formerly attended, also paid tribute.

"Mia was a bubbly student who was energetic, caring and who immersed herself in life, enriching the school environment she contributed to", Paul Lovatt said.

Ms Ayliffe-Chung had documented the highs and lows of her gap year in Australia on her Facebook page.

Her latest post on Saturday described her new farm job which she said involved "moving rocks out the way of the harvester".

She wrote: "Day 4 done. Just 85 left! Skills achieved; the ability to tell the difference between a rock and a clump of mud and throwing stones really far. The sun is too hot. Stupid Australia."

On July 19, she wrote: "The hardest thing living my dream, missing the important home things. Graduations, people in hospital, funerals and birthdays."

Police said they were confronted with a "terrible scene" when they arrived at the scene of the attack at a hostel popular with backpackers.

Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the attacker, aged 29, had been taken to hospital after suffering injuries in the attack.

He told a press conference the suspect - understood to have arrived in the country in March - appeared to have been acting alone and had no known links to radical groups such as so-called Islamic State.

"It is alleged that the suspect used the phrase Allahu Akbar during the attack and when arrested by police.

"We are not ruling out any motivations at this stage, whether they be political or criminal.

"Investigators will also consider whether mental health or drug misuse are factors in this incident."

Queensland Police tweeted the incident was an "act of senseless violence".

It added: "Our thoughts and condolences are with the families and loved ones of those involved in the incident."

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are working with local authorities and providing support to the families of a British national who was killed and another critically injured in an incident in Australia.

"Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time."