Rizna Mutmainah
Caring

"My angel": Bondi stabbing victim's emotional reunion with her saviour

A woman who was among those stabbed at Bondi Junction Westfield has finally reunited with the man who saved her life. 

Liya Barko, an international student from Argentina, was one the victims who was stabbed by Joel Cauchi on April 13 during his violent attack which killed six people and injured dozens more. 

A mystery man in a green t-shirt managed to save her life, but Barko wasn't able to track him down until now. 

"I would like to see him again, at least give him a hug," she told 9News on Monday.

Barko reunited with her hero, identified as ex-military solider Wayne Tolver Banks on Tuesday, finally embracing the man who saved her life. 

"Oh my god, I remembered you were so tall," Barko said as the pair hugged. 

"I'm so happy you're alive,"  Banks replied. 

Banks recalled how during the attack Cauchi looked at him and shook his head, as if to say he wasn't going to attack him, before he stabbed Barko. 

The ex-military soldier sprung to action and quickly moved Barko into a shop to take refuge, where his wife helped him look after her.

"I looked at you when I saw the man stab you and I said straight away to myself I've got to help you... I didn't want you to die," he told Barko. 

"Straight away I knew what I had to do to take control of the situation and the area."

Barko also recalled how Banks' wife was there and helped her get through it when she thought she was going to die. 

"Your wife she was the person who started to shake me when I started to say 'I want to give up'...she is the one who (said to me) 'You are doing really well'," she said. 

"For me...you were the angel who just appeared at the right moment at the right place."

Images: Nine

Tags:
Caring, Bondi Junction Westfield, Reunion