I WAS FIGHTING FOR MY LIFE
TV appeal recreates ambush ordeal
THE br ave R AF serviceman who fought off suspected jihadi kidnappers has spoken of his ordeal and declared: “I was fighting for my life.”
A reconstruction of his desperate struggle with the knife-wielding attackers who tried to drag him into a people carrier will be screened on tomorrow night’s Crimewatch.
The terrifying ambush–in broad daylight in Norfolk – re-ignited fears of a Lee Rigbystyle attack by home- grown terrorists.
Now the unnamed married serviceman is to give his first account of how he escaped by head-butting one of the men who tried to drag him into the nearby vehicle.
He said: “This whole event has turned my world upside down.
“The outcome could have been a lot more severe.
“But it’s the what- ifs, you know. Not being able to see my wife again. And not being able to see my family again.
“I knew what I had to do to get away. I was fighting for my life. I won’t let this stop me doing the things I need to do. But it does a f fect you emotionally.”
The serviceman was out running in the vi l lage of Marham at approximately 3.10pm on Wednesday, July 20, when he was ambushed by two men in a dark-coloured people carrier parked on a quiet stretch of road called Squires Hill.
During the attack, the airman was forcibly dragged towards the vehicle, but managed to f ight off the attackers and escape. One of the men was armed with a knife.
Tomorrow’s appeal comes after e-fits of the culprits that were released by Norfolk Constabulary following the attack resulted in more than 150 calls from the public.
But police are still searching for the suspects who might have been part of a larger gang.
Detective Superintendent Paul Durham said at the time that a terror link was one of the lines of inquiry.
He said: “Regarding the search for our suspects, we are not focusing on any specific area and I’m keeping an open mind as to where they are from.
“It’s evident the would- be attackers have underestimated the victim’s ability to fight back.
“There is no credible evidence this is a terrorist incident, but that remains one of a number of possibilities.”
While DetSu pt Durham would not say the attack was definitely terrorist related at the time, officers from the Metropolitan Police counterterrorism unit were called in.
And an internal MoD memo warned staff: “Following a security incident at RAF Marham, it is directed that all personnel keep a low profile and not make themselves vulnerable.
“Specifically, until the threat subsides, no one is to be on their own on foot, or on a bicycle, within the local area in uniform or clothing which might identify them with the military.”
RAF Marham is home to four Tornado squadrons that have played a key role in the bombing campaign in Iraq and Syria.
From 2018, the base will also house the F-35 Lightning II jet.
Both attackers are described as being of Middle Eastern appearance.
The f i rst a ssai lant is described as being between 20 and 30 years old, around 6ft 2in and stocky. He had a full, wellgroomed beard and dark hair.
He was wearing dark blue jeans/trousers, dark trainers and a black, round-neck T-shirt with white writing from the right shoulder down to the lefthand side.
The second assai lant is smaller than his accomplice.
He was wearing a plain white round neck T- shirt and dark coloured shorts just above the knee.
He was about 5ft 10in with a sl immer bui ld and clean shaven, with a short back and sides haircut. Crimewatch is on BBC One, tomorrow at 9pm.
This won’t stop me doing things I need to do. But it does affect you