Manchester synagogue attack victim Adrian Daulby pictured for first time

Adrian Daulby, who tragically lost his life in the Manchester synagogue attack, has been pictured for the first time.

Neighbours of Mr Daulby paid tribue to him, saying he was a "great guy" who "no one had a bad word against."

Mr Daulby had said he "may or may not" attend the synagogue on Yom Kippur, due to his health, one friend revealed. The friend described how he made a series of now heartbreaking, unanswered calls to Mr Daulby in the aftermath of the terror attack at the nearby Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall on Thursday morning.

Mr Daulby, 53, is said to have grown up on Monica Avenue, just 500 yards from the scene of the tragedy, where he lived for several decades. Hussain Waqas, 27, who said he grew up next door to him, said: "We're in so much shock. We used to talk for hours and hours outside."

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"Even though he wasn't family, he was that person I would always go to speak to. I literally spoke to him on Tuesday, and he spoke about how it was going to be a big festival, but due to his health he said 'I'm not going to fast.'"

He told Manchester Evening News: "And he said, 'I might be going to the synagogue or not.' He was contemplating it. It just shows you never know where life takes you."He had a strong connection with the synagogue, he was very close to the Rabbi there. He loved his nature. He loved animals, he loved his birds. He had a YouTube channel related to birds.

"He's been through a lot. He's a cancer survivor. He was a very simple, humble, homely person. All the kids on the street were his kids. He would bring out water guns in the summer, sweets, treats. They will miss him so much. Even now, I think he's going to walk back down the street with a Tesco bag."

Hussain said he found out he had died early this morning. "I was messaging him at half 11 yesterday when I went up there," he said. "I didn't actually think he was there. But thought I would ring him and ask him if he was okay. Never once did it cross my mind that he was actually going to be in there.

"The police came yesterday, but they didn't mention anything. I thought maybe someone was just worried about him. I still can't process it really." Fellow long-time resident on the street, John, 52, said: "He was a really good guy. Community-spirited. He would feed my cat for me whenever I was doing shift work. He would always help you if he could, take your mail in etc."

John said he feared the worst when police officers visited the street on Thursday and asked if he had a key for Mr Daulby's property. "He was just such a nice guy," he added. "He didn't deserve what happened to him."

Flowers have been left on the driveway of his home. Among those to leave a floral tribute was another neighbour, Abdul Rahimi. He said: "I have known him for about 20 years. He was a great guy, Fantastic guy. A good neighbour. He was always helpful for everyone.

"All the children in the street loved him so much. Whenever the kids came home from school, they would first go and knock on his door. And he always had something for them. He loved all the animals and birds. Everyone is going to miss him so much."

Abdul said he was driving to Skegness when he was told of the attack, and it was several hours later, on Thursday night, that he was told by his wife that Mr Daulby was 'missing.' "One of my neighbours made a lot of calls on his phone. It was ringing, but no answer," he said.

He said it was early this morning that the news was confirmed. "I am feeling so bad," he continued. "I couldn't go to work today. I haven't let my kids know yet, or they wouldn't go to school. Other than my daughter, and she was crying all the way to college."

Alan Coulton, 72, whose family grew up around the corner, said: "My son saw the name this morning and told us who it was. It's a shock. Him and his brother, they were great lads. They were about the same age as my sons, and they knew each other well. When his mother died and his father fell ill, he was always looking after his father.

"Everyday he would go out and do the shopping for him. He was just a really nice guy. He was quite quiet. But lovely. No one ever had a bad word against him. Everyone in the area knew him. We're all different religions in this area, we've all stuck together. We've never had any trouble. I just can't believe it. It's really hit home. It affects you. It will affect the area for a bit.

"It's the same feeling we had after the Arena (attack). It wasn't the same place for a few months. I just hope we can all come through strong." Greater Manchester Police said the families of Mr Daulby, and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz, the second innocent person killed in the attack, were being supported by specialist officers.

Mr Daulby was reportedly helping to barricade the door at the synagogue as armed officers responded to the terror attack, before he was shot by a police bullet. It is not yet clear whether the gunshot wound was the sole injury of the innocent man who died. Full post-mortems will be carried out for both victims today.

Detective Chief Superintendent Lewis Hughes said: “My deepest sympathies are with Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz’s loved ones at this extremely hard time. Specially trained Family Liaison Officers are in contact with them. They will continue to update them on the investigation and support them throughout the coronial process.

“Whilst there are processes which must be followed, we commit to being mindful of cultural preferences and sensitivities and to ensuring that these men and their loved ones’ wishes are respected."