Ex-Babinda woman says city gripped by fear

BABINDA-RAISED Londoner Rosanna Pappalardo was at work in central London when a horrific attack was under way just streets away.

She said she hadn’t realised the severity of the terrorist attack, which killed four people and injured 40 more in a rampage on London’s Westminster Bridge, until she stepped out of a Toni & Guy Hair Salon.

Speaking to the Cairns Post from London, she said the whole city was in a frenzy.

“It’s quite crazy at the moment.

“This afternoon was quite hectic in Oxford St in Central London and the Tube stations were very overcrowded,” she said. “There are many police officers around and security guards.

“Also lots of sirens going on tonight that I can hear from my house. I think everyone is on high alert.”

She said she had never experienced anything like the fear that gripped the city in the hours after the attack.

“It is scary, especially being and working so close to where it happened,” she said.

“It wasn’t until I walked out of work tonight that I actually realised how dangerous it could be. I’ve never seen anything like this before, only in the news, but never right on my doorstep.”

She said she would remain especially cautious tomorrow as she returns to work less than 24 hours after the attack.

“I feel a little nervous, especially because I travel to work by Tube.

“But I know a lot of other people will be feeling the same and I know we have extra security around, so that makes me feel a little more at ease.”

IT IS SCARY, ESPECIALLY BEING AND WORKING SO CLOSE TO WHERE IT HAPPENED BABINDA’S ROSANNA PAPPALARDO