GONGS FOR HEROES OF LONDON BRIDGE

Banker who fought nuts is honoured

A BRAVE banker who was killed fighting off terror nuts with his skateboard has been honoured by the Queen.

Ignacio Echeverria was one of eight people killed during the London Bridge terror attack.

The Spanish hero has been posthumously awarded the George Medal, for gallantry of an extremely high order.

He is one of several victims to be featured in this year’s Civilian Gallantry list. Nurse Kirsty Boden, murdered by terrorists as she helped victims, was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery.

Her family said they were “very proud”.

Two hero officers who confronted the attackers were awarded the George Medal. British Transport Police officer Wayne Marques was left seriously injured after battling three terrorists with only his baton.

He said: “[It’s] a silver lining I hope that not just me but my colleagues and my family and the people who have supported this can take some form of comfort and pride from.”

Also honoured was Metropolitan Police officer Charles Guenigault, who was stabbed after rushing to the aid of Pc Marques.

Leon McLeod, who had been on routine patrol with Pc Marques, chased the terror trio and helped give first aid to some of the victims. Now handed the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery, he said: “I wasn’t ever expecting anything like this.”

Two members of the public who helped save Pc Guenigault’s life were handed the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery.

Ellen Gauntlett and Justin Jones stayed with the officer after he was stabbed, and looked after him right up to the hospital. Romanian Florin Morariu, who threw bread crates at the terrorists, received the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery. Thomas Jackson, who died trying to save fellow Brit Mia Ayliffe-Chung during a knife attack in Australia, was posthumously awarded a Queen’s Gallantry Medal.