Grief-stricken BBC racing commentator John Hunt urges people to 'make the most of every day' with their family after his wife and two daughters were killed in crossbow attack

Heartbroken BBC racing commentator John Hunt has urged people to 'make the most of every day' with their families after his wife and two daughters were killed in a crossbow attack.

Carol Hunt, 61, Hannah Hunt, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25, were fatally injured at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, last Tuesday.

His friend and fellow commentator, Matt Chapman, said more than £28,000 from a fundraiser set up after the horrifying attack would help John's surviving daughter, Amy. 

'Family means more to some than others and for John, his family unit was something he absolutely adored,' Mr Chapman told the BBC. 

'He told me: ''Matty, the message I would tell everyone is you never know when it's going to be the last day you see your family''. The message was very clear: make the most of every day because you just don't know.'

Kyle Clifford, 26, has been arrested on suspicion of three counts of murder but police have not yet been able to speak to him because he remains in a serious condition after stabbing himself in the chest. 

Mr Chapman said John had said his 'biggest desire' was to make sure Amy had 'no money worries for the rest of her life'.

'There are a lot of people, including myself, who feel helpless and would like to do something,' he said.

'John would like nothing more for Amy after these horrific events than a life that is a little less stressful, because life will never be stress-free again.

'It's not going to take their grief away - it's not going to take the pain away or change anything - but it might help them have an easier life.'

John and Amy released a joint statement on Saturday, thanking the public for their messages of support during what they described as 'an extremely difficult time for us'.

'The devastation that we are experiencing cannot be put into words,' they said. 

'We would like to thank people for their kind messages and for the support we have received in recent days. These have provided great comfort to us for which we are very grateful.

'As you can imagine, this is an extremely difficult time for us, and we need time and space to come to terms with what has happened and start the grieving process.

'While this is happening, we would ask that our privacy and that of our wider family and relations be respected at this time. Thank you.'

There has been an outpouring of support for BBC 5 Live's Mr Hunt, who has worked at the Corporation for 30 years. He had hoped his wife would visit him while he covered the Paris Olympics next month. 

In a further statement Matt Chapman read to Sky Sports Racing viewers on the weekend, Mr Hunt paid tribute to his 'magnificently inspirational' surviving daughter.

He said: 'Notwithstanding the horrid evil that's swept through our lives, wreaking devastation on an unimaginable scale, the counter to that has been the breathtaking messages of support, some of which are still to be read.

'Amy, my eldest daughter, has been magnificently inspirational with her control and support for me, which I am trying, trying so hard, to replicate.

'Every message has felt so important, the same as a reassuring hug.

'We know people are worried about us, we will get through this. Sending love to everyone, John.'

Investigators will wait for medical staff to confirm that suspect Kyle Clifford is well enough to be spoken to before they can quiz him about the triple murder.

Hertfordshire Police confirmed that, although Clifford has been arrested over the deaths, the usual time limit for a suspect to be held in custody does not yet apply.

A massive manhunt was launched for Clifford, who was found just under 24 hours later with what were thought to be self-inflicted injuries in the Hilly Fields area of Enfield, north London.

Police found a crossbow on Thursday.