On the morning of June 13, 2023, Wayne Birkett and Sharon Miller began their day like any other, unaware that a tragic event would soon change their lives forever. Both individuals, alongside Marcin Gawronski, were struck by a van driven by Valdo Calocane in Nottingham city centre, leaving them with serious injuries. Earlier that day, Calocane had fatally stabbed two 19-year-old students, Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and a 65-year-old caretaker, Ian Coates. In exclusive interviews with the BBC, Sharon and Wayne shared their stories for the first time, expressing a profound sense of survivor’s guilt. Sharon’s day began at home with her partner Martin, with whom she planned to marry after more than three decades together. After her morning routine, she headed to the bus stop, worried about being late for her cleaning job due to a delayed bus. As she made her way through the city centre and crossed Market Street, her life took a dramatic turn when she saw the van and was suddenly airborne. Rushed to Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre, Sharon suffered life-changing injuries, including a broken toe, five fractured ribs, a lacerated spleen, and a severely infected leg wound. Now 46, Sharon relies on a walking stick and has been unable to return to work due to the physical and psychological trauma she endured. Once outgoing and sociable, she now feels safe only at home, finding comfort in the company of Martin, her family, and grandchildren. The attack has left her in constant pain and changed her outlook on life. Wayne, on his way to his job as a forklift driver, was hit from behind by Calocane’s van. He spent over six weeks in the hospital recovering from complex brain and physical injuries and has no memory of the incident or his life before that day. At 61, Wayne has had to relearn basic skills like reading and personal care. The attack wiped out his memory to the extent that even his Leeds United tattoo was unfamiliar to him. Wayne’s partner, Tracey, has been his primary caregiver since the incident, helping him navigate life with persistent pain and memory loss. Both Sharon and Wayne grapple with survivor’s guilt, feeling a deep sense of remorse for having survived when others did not. Wayne, in particular, expressed a willingness to have traded his life for those of the young students who were killed. Sharon echoed these sentiments, expressing sadness over the loss of such young lives and the disruption of normalcy for all involved. Valdo Calocane, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia before the attacks, was sentenced to a hospital order in January 2024 after pleading guilty to three counts of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and three counts of attempted murder. Out of respect for the surviving victims, the BBC chose not to publish Calocane’s picture in their feature. Sharon lamented the frequent news coverage of Calocane, expressing her frustration with seeing his face repeatedly in the media. The case has led to several reviews, including a mental health homicide review commissioned by NHS England. Earlier in the year, Sharon and Wayne joined the families of the victims in a meeting at Downing Street to discuss a judge-led public inquiry. Both plan to participate fully in the inquiry, chaired by Her Honour Deborah Taylor, in hopes of finding answers and prompting changes to prevent similar tragedies. Greg Almond, a solicitor representing Sharon and Wayne, emphasized the importance of the survivors’ involvement in the inquiry. He stated that it was crucial for them to share their stories and ensure they are not forgotten amidst the tragedy. This tragic event and its aftermath highlight the profound impact such incidents have on survivors and the broader community, underscoring the need for systemic changes to address mental health issues and enhance public safety.