London Bridge terror attack inquest: Coroner rules that victims were unlawfully killed

28 June 2019
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The victims of the London Bridge terror attack were unlawfully killed, chief coroner Mark Lucraft QC has concluded.

The coroner criticised the lack of barriers on the bridge in his conclusions, while the police investigation was "rigorous".

He said there was an "arguable" case there had been a breach of an operational duty in relation to the police and MI5 investigation before the attack and a general breach of systems for protective security on the bridge.

The inquest heard how former London Underground worker Khuram Butt, 27, hired the Hertz van which ploughed into pedestrians on the bridge, killing Frenchman Mr Thomas, 45, and Canadian Chrissy Archibald, 30.

Victims (Top L-R)Christine Archibald, James McMullan, Alexandre Pigeard, Sebastien Belanger, (Bottom L-R) Kirsty Boden, Sara Zelenak, Xavier Thomas and Ignacio Echeverria
PA

Mr Thomas, a father-of-two, was catapulted into the river Thames and was found dead three days later.

The van crashed into railings and Butt, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, ran amok around Borough Market.

Emergency services tending to the wounded after the June 3 attack
PA

They had knives strapped to their wrists and fake suicide belts.

They set upon Sara Zelenak, 21, who had fallen over in her high heels.

Tributes to victims of the London Bridge attacks
AP

They then turned on James McMullan, 32, as he tried to help her up.

Nurse Kirsty Boden, 28, was stabbed after she went to the aid of French musician Alexandre Pigeard, 26, outside the Boro Bistro.

Borough Market & London Bridge terror attack tributes - In pictures

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The killers also attacked Sebastien Belanger, 36, and Ignacio Echeverria, 39.

The latter was fatally injured as he bravely fended off the attackers with his skateboard.

The rampage which left eight dead and 48 seriously injured was over in just under 10 minutes. after the terrorists were shot dead by police marksmen.

Vigil for London Bridge terror attack

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In his conclusions, Mr Lucraft noted extraordinary acts of bravery on the day of the attack.

He commended police officers, medics and members of the public who rushed in to help in spite of the danger.

Pc Charlie Guenigault was off duty when he took on the three terrorists with British Transport Police Pc Wayne Marques and Spanish banker Mr Echeverria.

In an interview, he said: "In my head I just see all three of them standing in front of me, knives in hand and fake vests on and that look of, 'We're going to kill you', basically that sort of anger in their eyes.

"When I got stabbed in the head it sounded like an explosion. It just felt like someone had punched me in the face with a massive fist. It didn't hurt much. I could definitely feel it going into the skin, going into the bone. It was painful afterwards of course."

Pc Guenigault, 27, who was awarded the George Medal, said he "played dead" and waited for the next blow which never came then resolved to "fight with everything I've got to stay alive".

He added: "At the inquest... people want to find blame for why such things happened - there are only three people to blame."

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