<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening? </h2>

On Saturday, a man at an Australian shopping centre started attacking people with a knife. But while most people headed for safety, a police officer raced towards the attacker.  

By the time Inspector Amy Scott reached the scene, the knifeman had killed six people.

She shouted "Put it down!" Instead, he raised his knife. Scott shot him, and he fell to the ground.

Australia's prime ministerA prime minister is the head of government in a country with a parliamentary system. , Anthony Albanese, called Scott a hero.

This week a six-year-old girl from Yorkshire was also called a hero.

Olivia Patterson was playing outside when she saw flames rising from the roof of her house. Olivia ran into the burning building to wake her mother.

According to an expertSomeone who knows a lot about a particular subject., Professor Deane Aikins, some people are physically prepared to be heroes. They feel fear but do not show signs of panic.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more </h2>

Another expert, Dr Punit Shah, argues that people who "act quickly are more likely to engage in acts of heroism... people that are risk-takers".²

Is courage a little bit mad?

Yes! Human beings have survived for so long because most people run away from danger, rather than towards it. Those who put themselves at risk must be slightly crazy.

No! There was nothing mad about Amy Scott's actions. Heroes keep a cool head and do not panic, which means that they are the opposite of mad.  

Prime minister - A prime minister is the head of government in a country with a parliamentary system. 

Expert - Someone who knows a lot about a particular subject.