Loxton nurse Kirsty Boden to be awarded posthumous Bravery Medal over 2017 UK terror attack

Kirsty Boden, the Riverland woman hailed the “Angel of London Bridge” after the 2017 terror attack, will be posthumously awarded one of the country’s highest bravery honours.

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Kirsty Boden, the Riverland woman hailed the “Angel of London Bridge” after the 2017 terror attack, will be awarded one of the country’s highest bravery honours for her extraordinary heroism.

Today, the Loxton-born nurse, 28, will posthumously receive an Australian Bravery Award.

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove will announce the award, which comes eight months after the Queen honoured her for running into danger and selflessly helping several victims in the 2017 London Bridge attack.

Ms Boden, who worked for a major London hospital after moving to the UK in 2013, is the state’s only recipient this year among 101 people Sir Peter described as “outstanding Australians who, without thought of personal risk, displayed courage and bravery to protect or defend others”.

Riverland nurse Kirsty Boden, a victim of the 2017 terror attack on London Bridge, has been honoured with a posthumous bravery award.

In a statement, he paid tribute to Ms Boden, one of seven posthumous winners.

“Sadly, there are some amongst today’s list whose brave acts mean they are no longer with us,” he said.

“To their families, I express the nation’s sadness at your loss but pride in your loved ones’ actions.”

Her parents last night declined to speak about the award, as the citation revealed new details about the attack.

When Ms Boden was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery last July, her mother Christina Boden told The Advertiser: “As you can imagine, we’re just really proud of her, proud of the person she was.”

Ms Boden’s UK boyfriend James Hodder, 32, has also spoken of his pride in the woman he planned to marry.

Kirsty Boden, known as the “Angel of London Bridge”, with her British partner James Hodder. Picture: FACEBOOK

SA’s Governor Hieu Van Le is expected to formally honour her at an investiture ceremony at Adelaide’s Government House later this year.

The former Immanuel College boarding student, who has also had several scholarships and awards named after her, was among eight people killed by three jihadists in June 2017.

They rammed pedestrians with a van and stabbed others.

Brisbane au pair Sara Zelenak, 21, also died, and 48 others were injured. Ms Boden, who worked at Guy’s Hospital, central London, was having dinner with two friends in a Borough Market restaurant when she heard a crash around 10pm.

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove

Governor Hieu Van Le

“Without hesitation, (she) told her friends that she was going to see if anyone was injured,” her Australian Bravery Award citation states.

“She quickly left the table, running in the direction of the bridge. Moments later, the area turned to a scene of mass chaos and panic as people began screaming and running.”

Ms Boden’s unnamed friends lost sight of her in the melee, having fled their seats as they were pulled along with the crowd and swept around a corner. They returned to find Ms Boden, who was also an aspiring travel writer and lived in Hampstead, north London, lying on the footpath 50m from the restaurant.

“She had been attacked and severely wounded by terrorists who had been in the van, and a police officer was performing CPR on her,” the citation says.

Mourners at Kirsty Boden’s funeral procession in Loxton in 2017.

“Her friends explained to the police officer that Ms Boden had left them at the restaurant in an attempt to help others. Sadly Ms Boden did not survive her injuries. By her actions, Ms Boden displayed considerable bravery.”

England’s Chief Coroner, Judge Mark Lucraft QC, will conduct an attack inquest at the Old Bailey Court in May.

Sir Peter said winners were a “source of courage, support and inspiration and we are a stronger, safer and more caring nation because of them”.

“They are outstanding and deserve our nation’s gratitude. These awards have helped to define, encourage and reinforce our national aspirations and ideals by identifying role models,” he said.

“Today, we add a new group of people to those whose lead all Australians should follow.”