Seven people confirmed dead and dozens injured in London terror attack
A SECOND Australian man caught up in the London attack has told how he ducked and weaved against the terrorists.
Seven killed, 48 injured in London Bridge terror attack
Three suspects shot and killed by police
Explosive vests were “hoax” police confirm
Two Australian among injured
PM Theresa May slams “new trend” in terror
Londoners told: “Run, hide, tell”
12 arrested in East London over attack
A SECOND Australian caught up in the London Bridge terror attack has been named as Darwin man, Andrew Morrison.
At least two Australians and one New Zealander are among those affected in the London Bridge terror attack that killed seven people and injured 48 on Saturday.
Mr Morrison’s Facebook page describes him as an electrician who lives in Darwin. He appeared in a video circulating on social media holding a bloody piece of material to his neck, saying: “He got me but I dodged it, I ducked and weaved.”
“He looked like, I hate because, you know, I know the thing with Muslims and terrorism, but he looked like a f***ing Muslim terrorist,” he said.
Mr Morrison’s sister Katrina, said they were just happy that he was safe.
“Yes my brother was involved,” she said. “We’re currently sorting out his flight home... Yeah right now we are just happy he is safe,” she said.
31 y/o Qld woman Candice Hedge recovering in hospital, second Australian posts video, after London terror attack. @hughwhitfeld #7News pic.twitter.com/FFJO43Y0IA
— 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) June 4, 2017
He’s the second Australian to be named along with Queensland woman Candice Hedge. She was stabbed in the throat after a white van drove into pedestrians and attackers emerged with knives in a busy area of South London.
She told friends and family in Australia on Facebook that she been hurt but the attack missed her windpipe and main arteries.
“Hey everyone, just so you know I’m doing OK. Bit of pain but I will survive. Thanks for your thoughts and well wishes. Love to all,” she wrote.
New Zealand man, Oliver Dowling, 32, was injured along with his girlfriend, Marie Bondeville. Mr Dowling’s sister posted on Facebook that he is recovering after a four-hour surgery after having been stabbed.
“Doctors are very happy with how he’s come out the other side,” she wrote.
“A massive thank to the University of London Hospital for their tireless efforts in helping my brother out!!”
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A UK man feared dead has been found in intensive care after he tried to stop an attack on a bouncer at Borough Market.
Sunday Express journalist Geoff Ho was captured on video walking away from the scene covered in blood before being taken to hospital.
The self-described kung fu and kickboxing fan had been feared missing by friends who led a Twitter search for information on his whereabouts.
He later posted on Facebook: “Don’t know whether it was stupid or noble to jump in and break up the fight outside the Southwark Tavern, but two a***s trying to do over the lone bouncer on the door isn’t happening on my watch.”
Twelve people have been arrest in East London in connection with the attack. Metropolitan Police said the investigation is “progressing rapidly" with searches ongoing.
“Officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command have this morning, Sunday 4 June, arrested 12 people in Barking, east London, in connection with last night’s incidents in London Bridge and the Borough Market area. Searches of a number of addresses in Barking are continuing.”
SCENES OF TERROR
The assault began just after 10pm on Saturday evening when a white van veered off the road and barrelled into pedestrians on busy London Bridge.
Three men fled the van with large knives and attacked people at bars and restaurants in nearby Borough Market, police and witnesses said. The attack unfolded quickly, and police said officers had shot and killed the three attackers within eight minutes.
Seven people were killed and at least 48 injured.
Witnesses recounted terrifying scenes as the van scattered pedestrians before coming to a stop when the attackers emerged to start stabbing people at random with “foot-long” knives.
— Victoria Craw (@victoria_craw) June 4, 2017
— Victoria Craw (@victoria_craw) June 4, 2017
Will Heaven was in a taxi crossing London Bridge at the time and said he initially thought it was a traffic accident before realising it was a terror attack.
“Just after ten past ten, I was in the back of a taxi coming over London Bridge,” Mr Heaven told news.com.au.
“[I] saw someone on the left hand side lying on the pavement with a crowd around.”
Richard Angell was dining with Labor politician Sam Dastyari in Arabica restaurant in Borough Market when he said security came in and told them to “duck and cover”.
He said heroic guests attempted to stop the terrorists entering by holding the door closed with their feet and throwing tables as people walked in a daze from the restaurant opposite covered with blood.
“That person I witnessed, I don’t know if they’re safe,” he said.
Mr Dastyari said they heard screaming while sitting at their table in the busy restaurant.
“You could obviously tell there was an incident and someone starts running past, obviously covered in blood, kind of down the street,” he said.
“It takes you a moment to register whether or not obviously if it’s a bar fight gone wrong or that kind of thing — you don’t know whether it’s anything more serious than that.”
Borough resident Peter Cassizi, said he is used to living in a very busy area but became suspicious when everything went quiet.
“Police were very nervous. They seemed like they didn’t have a good overview,” he said.
He decided to go downstairs and “as soon as I stuck my head out the door they yelled at me, get my hands up,” he told news.com.au.
His girlfriend who is still in the building also reported hearing shots fired around 5:30am that have not been accounted for by police.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said two Australians had been caught up in the attack.
“At this time we are aware of reports of two Australians who have been directly affected by this attack,” Mr Turnbull said.
“This afternoon the Foreign Minister has spoken to the parents of both Australians. One case has been confirmed and the Australian concerned is in hospital. In the other case, we are continuing to make inquiries.”
.@TurnbullMalcolm confirms two Australians have been directly affected by the #London attack. MORE https://t.co/eivi6iAauP pic.twitter.com/GkKABEKoRT
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) June 4, 2017
— Victoria Craw (@victoria_craw) June 4, 2017
OFFICER INJURED
A British Transport Police officer is among the injured after being one of the first on scene during the attack.
He received injuries to his head, face and leg, which, at this time, are believed to be serious but not life threatening. He is being treated in a central London hospital and his family are with him while he receives treatment.
He has been visited this evening by Chief Constable Paul Crowther and Divisional Commander Chief Supt Martin Fry.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said he had heard “truly remarkable stories of extraordinary brave actions by officers.”
He said three male suspects of the attack who appeared to be wearing explosive belts in pictures were in fact hoax explosives
“Armed officers responded very quickly and bravely, confronting three male suspects who were shot and killed in Borough Market. The suspects had been confronted and shot by the police within eight minutes of the first call,” he said.
ELECTION WILL GO AHEAD
UK Prime Minister TheresaMay condumned the “brutal attack” and said it was part of a “new trend” the UK is suffering. The general election scheduled for Thursday will go ahead, although campaigning on Sunday has been suspended.
“In terms of their planning and execution, the recent attacks are not connected,” she said in reference to attacks at Westminster and Manchester.
“But we believe we are experiencing a new trend in the threat we face, as terrorism breeds terrorism, and perpetrators are inspired to attack not only on the basis of carefully-constructed plots after years of planning and training – and not even as lone attackers radicalised online – but by copying one another and often using the crudest of means of attack.”
London’s mayor Sadiq Khan sent a message to “evil cowards” who commit acts of terror, telling them “we will never let them win”.
“There aren’t words to describe the grief and anger our city is feeling,” he said.
“I’m appalled and furious that these cowardly terrorists deliberately targeted innocent Londoners and visitors enjoying their Saturday night. I condemn unequivocally these terrorists in the strongest possible terms. They are evil cowards and London will never be cowed. We will never let them win.”
HOW IT UNFOLDED
The three male terrorists were gunned down at Borough Market within eight minutes of the first emergency call. The incident began at 10.08pm local time (7.08am AEST).
Witnesses reported hearing one of the attackers scream “this is for Allah” as a young woman was stabbed.
Video emerged online showing restaurant guests and drinkers being forced to hid under tables and in the staffroom of some restaurants as police swept the area for attackers.
A huge cordon went into effect with thousands of people evacuated with their hands above their heads and told to run for safety.
Hotel guests at London Bridge woke to a fire alarm and were forced out of their rooms, with some wearing just a robe. Many slept in neighbouring hotels in chairs or reception couches, while Londoners also opened their doors to anyone affected.
Police said three male suspects were shot and killed and the explosive vest seen on the body of at least one man tured out to be a hoax.
Controlled explosions were heard in the area around 1:30am.
On Sunday morning Borough Market and London Bridge area was still subject to a massive cordon which was gradually being reduced.
The attacks happened just 12 days after the atrocity at Manchester Arena where 22 people died, and 10 weeks after the terror attack at Westminster that killed five people.
‘SIGNIFICANT GUNFIRE’
One horrified witness told The Sun he was left covered in blood after a man stormed a restaurant and slashed diners.
Jag Sandue was at the Black and Blue steak restaurant when he said he saw several men storm in, armed with knives. He said a man was cut down behind him, with blood spraying onto his shirt.
“There were people throwing chairs and glasses outside and I thought it might just be a fight. Then I realised it was more than that, people were running.
“Next thing we know, they’re in our restaurant. People were screaming ‘they’ve got knives’.”
ON THE SCENE: Second incident at Borough Market, police responding. Police dogs called into area. #LondonBridge #London #BoroughMarket pic.twitter.com/9a7WnxiuE5
— Aylina Kılıç (@AylinaKilic) June 3, 2017
Gabriele Sciotto captured the image that appears to show a terrorist with canisters strapped to his body on the ground.
Sciotto told the BBC: “I noticed this man with this explosive looking belt on his chest ... They were running [and a] police officer was trying to put himself between them and the crowd. After that they were almost coming towards me, I tried to run away, and they were heading towards the main street.”
He then watched as police shot the three men dead.
HEROES PRAISED BY WITNESSES
Witnesses to the attack have heaped praise on those who tried to stop the terrorists in their tracks.
One man, known as Gerard, told Sky News he felt powerless as he heard a woman yell for help.
“I couldn’t do anything ... I threw a stool, a chair and they ran towards me and I ran away. If I slipped and fell I would be dead right now,” he said.
Others threw glasses and stood in doorways to hold them shut as people ran to safety.
As the sun rises, the grim reality sets in #LondonAttacks pic.twitter.com/IjgiBIw3qA
— sanya burgess (@sanyaburgess) June 4, 2017
Terror on the Sunday Times doorstep pic.twitter.com/wMXY0a6Wfv
— Alex Butler (@but00307049) June 3, 2017
Serious incident on London Bridge. Several people being tended to by paramedics pic.twitter.com/tg1qCJR4fp
— Oliver Varney (@OliverVarney) June 3, 2017
In the Wheatsheaf pub in Borough Market, three men with big hunting knives smashed the glass windows to target drinkers, News Corp understands.
One reveller was stabbed five times, a witness said. A 40-year-old witness told The Sun: “I was in the Wheatsheaf pub. The doors were locked by the bar staff. Three men with big hunting knives were outside.
“They were trying to get in the pub but the doors were locked. They were smashing the windows.
“I saw at least one man stabbed in the chest about five times.”
Armed police then shot two of the attackers.
“They had four to five silver canisters attached to themselves and police just opened fire.
“They fired at least 20 times. One of the guys in the pub took a bullet in the head. I think he’s dead.”
Witness Tony Murphy, who lives opposite Southwark Bridge, said he heard “significant gunfire” that he thought was fireworks at first.
“It was significant gunfire, it went on for quite a few minutes. Other people would have thought it was fireworks but I recognised it immediately.”
“It was sufficient for me to get out of the chair ... that was before there was any police response.”
A third incident at Vauxhall was initially feared to be part of the attack but police said it was unrelated.
#LondonBridge is closed and helicopters are surrounding area, reported shots and van running over people in front of pub @BBCBreaking pic.twitter.com/SEkGqh222W
— Kaine Pieri (@PieriKaine) June 3, 2017
Another police unit rushing to #LondonBridge scene pic.twitter.com/bzqiUy8q3x
— Kaine Pieri (@PieriKaine) June 3, 2017
The attack is the third terror attack in the UK in the past 75 days.
On May 22, a suicide bomber killed 22 people at a pop concert by US singer Ariana Grande in Manchester in northern England.
The Manchester bombing was the deadliest attack in Britain since July 2005, when four British Muslim suicide bombers killed 52 people in co-ordinated attacks on London’s transport network.
Do you know more? Email victoria.craw@news.com.au.
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