It was instinct says terror attack hero ‘UK must honour’
LONDON Bridge terror hero Lukasz Koczocik said yesterday he “acted instinctively” in tackling killer extremist Usman Khan.
After being released from hospital the Polish kitchen worker said: “I am now coming to terms with the whole traumatic incident and would like the space to do this in privacy, with the support of my family.”
His comments were part of a statement released through police and came amid calls for him to be awarded an honour for gallantry.
His statement read: “I and several others tried to stop a man from attacking people inside the building.
“I did this using a pole I found. Someone else was holding a narwhal tusk.
Humbling
“The man attacked me, after which he left the building.A number of us followed him out but I stopped at the bollards of the bridge. I had been stabbed and was later taken to hospital to be treated. I am thankful I have been able to return home.
“When the attack happened, I acted instinctively.
“I would like to express my condolences to the families who have lost precious loved ones. I send my best wishes to them and everyone affected by this sad and pointless attack.”
Cambridge graduates Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones were stabbed to death by Khan as he ran amok inside the building last Friday.
The 28-year-old, who was wearing a realistic-looking explosives belt, dead by police.
Last night Glen Smyth, former chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said Lukasz deserved the highest award for a non-British citizen, the George Medal.
He said yesterday: “He put himself in great personal danger and was stabbed five was shot
THE devastated girlfriend of attack victim Jack Merritt described him as “phenomenal” yesterday.
Writing on Facebook, Leanne O’Brien vowed to follow Jack’s lead in fighting social injustice and pledged: “Together, we will make a difference.”
She said: “My love, you are phenomenal and have opened so many doors for those that society turned their backs on.”
Leanne wrote her tribute the day after Jack’s father, Dave, criticised the way some senior politicians had reacted to the tragedy.
Mr Merritt said his son would be “livid” that his death was being used to support what he called an “agenda of hate”.
Jack, 25, and fellow Cambridge graduate Saskia Jones, 23, were murdered by convicted terrorist times… Mr Koczocik had the chance to step aside but he chose to confront the terrorist again [outside].
“I think that’s enormously brave as well as inspiring and quite humbling.”
Several heroes of the 2017 London Bridge terror attack, including two of the eight who died, were recognised for their bravery.
Usman Khan, 28, during a prisoners rehabilitation event on Friday.
Jack, of Cottenham, Cambs, was a co-ordinator for Learning Together, a programme associated with Cambridge University’s Institute of Criminology.
It is aimed at bringing offenders and people in higher education to “study alongside each other”.
Saskia, of Stratford-upon-Avon, was a Learning Together volunteer.
Inquests into their deaths are set to open at the Old Bailey today.
Khan, jailed in 2012 for a plot to attack targets in London, had been released early.
That prompted Prime Minister Boris Johnson to order an urgent review of convicted extremists released in similar circumstances.