Mum unaware her boy died
SPAIN: It is a smile now heartbreakingly familiar across the globe. But for the family of Julian Cadman, the 7-year-old killed in the Barcelona terror attack, it is all but a memory they vowed never to forget as they paid tribute yesterday.
Julian, who was born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and lived with his family in Australia, was in Spain with his mother, Jumarie Cadman, to attend a family wedding when they were hit by a white van as it careered down Las Ramblas, killing 13 people.
Cadman was seriously injured and remains in a coma, unaware of her son’s death, a senior Catalan government source said.
Julian’s relatives confirmed he had died. In a statement they described him as ’’much loved and adored’’.
They said: ‘‘As he was enjoying the sights of Barcelona with his mother, Julian was sadly taken from us. He was so energetic, funny and cheeky, always bringing a smile to our faces. We are so blessed to have had him in our lives and will remember his smiles and hold his memory dear to our hearts.’’
The family thanked those who helped search for Julian in the immediate aftermath of the attack, adding: ‘‘Your kindness was incredible during a difficult time. We also acknowledge we are not the only family to be affected by the events; our prayers and thoughts are with all people affected.’’
It took several days to formally identify Julian’s body because DNA confirmation was required, the government source said.
Andrew Cadman, 42, Julian’s father, heard the news of the attack on the radio and on discovering that his son was missing, immediately flew from Sydney to Barcelona.
It is believed he was taken straight to the Ciutat de la Justicia, where victims of the Las Ramblas attack were being identified by forensic experts. He was then taken, with a police escort, to the Vall d’hebron hospital where his Filipina wife, who sustained severe injuries, underwent surgery.
As Julian’s death was confirmed, Boris Johnson, the British Foreign Secretary, said: ‘‘I send my sincerest sympathies to the family of Julian Cadman and all those who loved him. His death is a tragedy.’’
Julian lived in the UK for four years before the family of three moved to Australia three years ago. They return to the UK once a year to visit Mrs Cadman’s older sister, Judith, whose daughter Justine’s wedding the pair were attending in Barcelona.
Debbie Cadman, a relative, wrote on Facebook: ‘‘It is beyond words what we are experiencing at the moment. We appreciate all prayers and love.’’
Meanwhile, a pharmacist who comforted Mrs Cadman as they waited for paramedics in the immediate aftermath of the attack has described how she begged for information about her son.
Fouad Bakkali said Cadman appeared to be suffering two broken legs, a back injury and had a large wound on her head. ’’She was asking all the time about her little boy. She asked me ‘where is my son’. She told me he was seven.’’
The Catalan interior department has also confirmed the deaths of an Italian and a Belgian national in the Las Ramblas attack. Forensic doctors and police are still working to identify two remaining victims.
Among those already named are Luca Rosso, a 35-year-old Italian; Bruno Gulotta, 35, an Italian father-of-two; and Jared Tucker, 42, an American construction worker. Officials said 51 people injured in the attack remain in hospital while 81 have been discharged.
– Telegraph Group