Patient Talks Down Bomber at Leeds Hospital, Wins George Medal

Nathan Newby, a 35-year-old patient at St James's Hospital in Leeds, prevented a terrorist bombing on January 20, 2023, by engaging the would-be attacker in a two-hour conversation that led to his surrender to police.

Newby, who was receiving treatment at the hospital, had stepped outside for a cigarette and fresh air when he noticed Mohammad Farooq standing nearby with his hands in his pockets, appearing distressed. Approaching out of concern, Newby asked, "How are you, pal? Are you alright?" What began as a casual check-in escalated when Farooq, a former clinical support worker at the hospital, revealed his intentions for revenge against nursing staff. About an hour into their talk, Farooq admitted he carried a bomb in a bag seven feet away, constantly eyeing it as nurses passed by.

Newby asked to see the device to confirm Farooq's claim, and the man unzipped the bag to show a homemade pressure cooker bomb containing 10 kilograms of explosives made from 600 pounds worth of fireworks. Farooq was also armed with two knives and an imitation firearm. Rather than fleeing, Newby focused on de-escalating the situation and protecting others inside the hospital, which he described as...