A FORMER South Cheshire College student is currently fighting for his life after being stabbed at a backpackers' hostel in Australia. 

The attacker has been reported as shouting "Allahu Akbar" before stabbing to death 21-year-old British woman Mia Ayliffe-Chung and wounding 30-year-old Tom Jackson from Congleton. 

The knife attack took place at Shelley's Backpackers accommodation in the Home Hill area of Queensland at about 11.15pm local time on Tuesday.

Miss Ayliffe-Chung, from Wirksworth, Derbyshire, was only days into a three-month trip to the country. She had been working as a waitress and with animals on a farm so she could extend her working holiday visa.

Friends have been paying tribute to both Britons since hearing of the attack.

Samantha Harrison wrote on Facebook: "Tom Jackson was a very close friend and one of the most amazing people I have ever met. Now Tom I need you too stay strong and beat this for yourself and all of your friends and family who love you."

South Cheshire College Principal, Jasbir Dhesi said: “We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the incident in Australia and our thoughts are with Tom, his family, friends and all the other victims involved.”

Queensland deputy police commissioner Steve Gollschewski said all possible motives for the attack were being considered, including criminal and political, as well as the impact of drugs and mental health problems.

He continued: "Initial inquiries indicate that comments which may be construed as being of an extremist nature were made by the alleged offender.

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

Mr Gollschewski added that Miss Ayliffe-Chung was the first person to be attacked and the incident was being treated as a murder case, not a terror attack.

Police said up to 30 people witnessed the "senseless act of violence" in which a 46-year-old local man, named as Grant Scholz, also suffered non life-threatening injuries - and a dog was killed.

The suspect was arrested and transferred to hospital for treatment for minor injuries, and was captured on police body-cams uttering the phrase Allahu Akbar - which means God is Greatest in Arabic.

Detective Superintendent Ray Rohweder said he was not known to police, and officers were still trying to discover what he had been doing in the country since his arrival.