Baby hurt in Sydney stabbing out of intensive care

A baby girl injured in Saturday’s stabbing attack in a Sydney mall has been moved out of intensive care.

The nine-month-old daughter of Ashlee Good, who died protecting her, was in a serious but stable condition, a health official said.

The girl underwent surgery at Sydney Children’s Hospital after suffering chest and arm injuries.

Six people were killed in the rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction shopping mall, five of them women.

Joel Cauchi, 40, sent the crowded complex into a panic when he began stabbing people with a long blade. He was later shot dead by police.

The attack has horrified Australia, where mass killings are rare.

A total of six people including the baby girl were still in hospital after the attack, including two women in intensive care, a New South Wales Health spokesperson said in a statement.

Another six injured have already been discharged from hospital.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park, quoted by 9 News, said the girl’s condition was “a big change and a significant improvement”.

A GoFundMe campaign set up in Ashlee Good’s name has raised nearly A$500,000 ($323,000; £259,500) for her daughter.

Meanwhile, a Frenchman who tried to stop the rampage by confronting the knifeman with a bollard has been promised that his visa will be renewed.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also said he would welcome Damien Guerot becoming an Australian citizen.

A special force has been created to investigate Saturday’s incident, with New South Wales Police saying it could take months to present its findings.

Police will try to find out how and why Cauchi, who is from the state of Queensland, committed such violence.

He had been known to police but had never been arrested or charged in Queensland.

Cauchi had lived itinerantly for several years and was first diagnosed with a mental illness at 17, Queensland Police said.