Give ’em a medal... heroes who tackled ‘suicide belt killer’ with whale tusk and fire extinguisher

THE Queen has praised the brave individuals who put their own lives at risk to tackle Usman Khan.

The bystanders were hailed as heroes as they saved lives by pinning the attacker to the ground.

Her Majesty said: “Prince Philip and I have been saddened to hear of the terror attacks at London Bridge.

“I express my enduring thanks to the police and emergency services, as well as the brave individuals who put their own lives at risk to help others.”

Bystanders grabbed makeshift weapons including fire extinguishers and a whale tusk to wrestle the jihadi to the floor after he stabbed and killed two people near Borough Market.

Their actions, caught on dramatic footage, came two years after the last terror attack on London Bridge – which saw eight killed and 48 injured.

Twitter users have called for those who helped the police stop Khan, who was armed with knives and wearing a fake suicide vest, to get a knighthood. One said: “This is extraordinary.” Another user wrote:

“These guys are amazing.

They were just random people who took upon themselves to protect the rest of us. Rather than focus on the perpetrator we can look up to those whose heroic actions are worthy of admiration. I hope they get recognition they deserve.

A Polish chef, known as Lukasz, grabbed a 5ft long tusk off the wall at Fishmongers’ Hall – despite having been stabbed himself.

Friends said he was working there when convicted terrorist Khan, 28, launched his attack at a University of Cambridge conference on prisoner rehabilitation, killing two and injuring three. The director of the TV show Hollyoaks, who was at the conference, helped tend to victims after she was caught up in the spree.

Amy Coop said: “A guy who was with us at Fishmongers’ Hall took a narwhal tusk from the wall and went out to confront the attacker.”

Another man who tried to help out was a murderer on day release while he attended the conference. James Ford,

42, was jailed for life in 2004 for the murder of 21-year-old Amanda Champion, who was found strangled with her throat cut in Ashford, Kent.

Meanwhile, tour guide Thomas Gray,

24, stamped on the terrorist’s wrist to make him release one of two knives.