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| Britain |
| Queen hails brave 7 July heroes |
| 2006-02-15 |
| The Queen has praised the "outstanding bravery" of workers as she honoured them for their efforts in the aftermath of the 7 July London suicide bombings. Police officers and transport, health and other emergency workers collected honours, announced at the New Year, at a Buckingham Palace investiture. Tube worker David Boyce, who gave first aid at the Russell Square blast, said the Queen had commented on his courage. The attacks on three Tube trains and a bus by four bombers killed 52 people. Mr Boyce, a Russell Square station supervisor who ran into the smoke-filled tunnel following the Piccadilly Line bombing, received an MBE. "The Queen said, 'Very well done on your efforts for what you did on the day'," he said. "I didn't think about my own safety as I ran down the tunnel. I just thought, 'What am I going to find?' "It was very dark and there was smoke everywhere. I couldn't see two feet in front of my face. "On the train it was horrific. There were bodies lying all over the place and limbs missing." He used his own clothes to create tourniquets that he tied on people's limbs, before going to get more first aid. "I know that I've received this award but everyone at Russell Square was fantastic," said the 25-year-old, from Watford, Hertfordshire. British Transport Police Constable Deborah Russell-Fenwick also collected an MBE for helping dying and injured people at the scene of the Tavistock Square bus bombing. The Queen told her that what she had done was "outstanding" and "brave". "I told her it was something out of your worst nightmare and she said it would take some time to recover from it." The 44-year-old, from near Gravesend, Kent, recalled that before ambulances reached the scene she wrapped parcel tape around people's heads to keep them still against blocks of wood to prevent further injury. She added: "To be honest, it's a bit bittersweet being here today. I wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for all those people who died. "If I could wave a magic wand not to be standing here, I would." The day was a celebration of the efforts of staff from London Underground, London hospitals, British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police. Many of those who helped on the day had been off-duty at the time. Tube driver John Boyle, collecting an MBE, was at Aldgate station and went down to the tracks to help evacuate people from trains and lead them to safety. "I didn't know it was a suicide bomber, but I knew it was a bomb," he earlier told the BBC. "I was scared another would go off, so my priority was to get people out." Tim Wade, Tube duty line manager on the East London Line, is receiving an MBE. He evacuated passengers from the Russell Square train, then helped people in the carriage where the bomb went off in the "mayhem" of the first 20 minutes before paramedics arrived. "I did the job I was supposed to be doing - at the time it was pure adrenaline," Mr Wade said. He said colleagues who helped alongside him in the train carriage also deserved to be recognised. Those honoured for their actions on 7 July include: Peter Hendy, (CBE) Transport for London Tim O'Toole (honorary CBE) London Underground Julie Dent (CBE), South West London Strategic Health Authority Roy Bishop (OBE), London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority Martin Flaherty (OBE) London Ambulance Service Major Muriel McClenahan, (OBE) of the Salvation Army Dallas Ariotti (MBE), Guy's and St Thomas's hospitals David Boyce (MBE), station supervisor Russell Square John Boyle (MBE), Tube driver, London Underground Alan Dell, (MBE) London Buses Constable Deborah Russell-Fenwick (MBE), British Transport Police William Kilminster, (MBE) paramedic London Ambulance Service Peter Swan (MBE) paramedic London Ambulance Service Jim Underdown (MBE) paramedic London Ambulance Service Roy Webb (MBE) London Ambulance Service Alastair Wilson (OBE) Royal London Hospital Julia Peterkin (MBE), Royal London Hospital Angela Scarisbrick (MBE), Great Ormond Street Hospital Peter Sanders (MBE), station manager at King's Cross Tube station Insp Glen McMunn (MBE) British Transport Police Insp Stephen Mingay (MBE) British Transport Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke (OBE) Metropolitan Police Commander Chris Allison (MBE) Metropolitan Police Det Supt John Prunty (Queen's Police Medal) Metropolitan Police Det Supt Douglas McKenna (Queen's Police Medal) Metropolitan Police Timothy Wade (MBE) Line Manager, London Underground Good stuff I'd say! Congratulations to all. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #1 Well done -- heroes all! |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2006-02-15 15:41 |