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The rescuer's story (London Attack)
The Guardian ^ | July 9th, 2005 | Sergeant Steve Betts, London Transport Police

Posted on 07/15/2005 7:52:48 PM PDT by wideminded

Sergeant Steve Betts of the British Transport police was one of the first rescuers to reach the Piccadilly line train between King's Cross and Russell Square on Thursday. This is his harrowing account:

It was pitch black and we had torches. The tunnel where the train was was about 150 metres down the track round a corner and there were still a few wounded coming towards us as we approached. As I walked down the track, I heard someone cry out for help but I could not see them. I called out back and looked around but it was very smoky and dusty and they did not answer.

I got into the train and it was quite obvious that this was something horrendous. There were people with limbs missing, huge open wounds with their organs showing and people were crying out and moaning and asking for help. I thought, this is the worst thing I have ever seen. I am not very good in enclosed spaces at the best of times and we had to climb over bodies and body parts to try to help people and see who was still alive. I thought this is the end of the world, right here in this carriage, but you have to do your job.

I found a man and his leg had been blown off below the knee, there was another body next to him. There was also what I thought was a pile of clothes but as I passed to try and get to the man, it moaned and asked me for help. It was a woman. She had all her limbs blown off. I think she died on the concourse.

We had not yet got into the carriage where the bomb had exploded but we had to get in there to make sure no one else was alive. That was a scene I cannot describe.

The roof had collapsed and we had to almost crawl in. There were body parts everywhere, there was not one bit as far as I could see that was not covered with organs or blood or bits of body. I was squashed in by chairs and dead bodies as we searched for anyone alive. I could not help standing on things but I had to carry on and do my job. It was like collecting a lot of shop dummies and then cutting them up, pouring black paint over them, and filling the carriage.

After a couple of hours, I came up. The station was pretty quiet by now but someone asked me for directions which made me smile and that made me feel more human. But, as I stood there I felt lonelier than I thought was possible, I just wanted to see a friend or somebody new and give them a hug.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; United Kingdom; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: london; londonattacked; londonunderground; rescue; terrorattack

1 posted on 07/15/2005 7:52:48 PM PDT by wideminded
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To: wideminded
Damn.

I pray to God I never have to witness what this guy had to.

2 posted on 07/15/2005 7:56:02 PM PDT by FReepaholic (When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading)
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To: wideminded

May God help those who see such horror. In Jesus' Name, Amen


3 posted on 07/15/2005 8:14:50 PM PDT by skr (Almighty God, thank you for the liberty you have bestowed upon this nation.)
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To: skr

Amen


4 posted on 07/15/2005 8:18:04 PM PDT by hoosiermama (prayers for all)
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To: wideminded

'There was also what I thought was a pile of clothes but as I passed to try and get to the man, it moaned and asked me for help. It was a woman. She had all her limbs blown off. I think she died on the concourse. '


5 posted on 07/15/2005 8:25:39 PM PDT by bitt ('We will all soon reap what the ignorant are now sowing.' Victor Davis Hanson)
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To: bitt

God have Mercy...
(crying)
ms.B


6 posted on 07/15/2005 8:30:30 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (if it is not right do not do it,if it is not true do not say it.)
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To: wideminded

Once I was one of the first on scene of a fatal motorcycle wreck. We stopped to see if we could help but both the driver and the passenger were beyond any help. It haunted me for several days and still does when I think about it.

I can't begin to imagine how this man and other responders will deal with what they saw and experienced. It's simply beyond my comprehension.

They will be in my prayers.


7 posted on 07/15/2005 8:36:39 PM PDT by Sally'sConcerns
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To: wideminded

my anti-Bush liberal friends are always trying to tell me
"we are not at war!" or " this is all about oil !"
I shall send them this . They've already forgotten 9/11 ....


8 posted on 07/15/2005 8:43:06 PM PDT by injin
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To: Admin Moderator

Maybe you could add this article to the "London Attacked" list. Apparently I didn't enter the right keyword.


9 posted on 07/15/2005 9:39:25 PM PDT by wideminded
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To: wideminded

londonattacked

did it.


10 posted on 07/15/2005 9:41:31 PM PDT by bitt ('We will all soon reap what the ignorant are now sowing.' Victor Davis Hanson)
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To: wideminded

Behold the enemy...pure evil.


11 posted on 07/15/2005 9:45:41 PM PDT by milford421
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To: wideminded

Islam teaches that this is not only a good thing but is Holy.

This is something that has been happening in Israel monthly for the last five years. According to the Left and the Globalists the answer is to surrender to the monsters that caused this carnage and hope for their mercy.

Why does to world insist Israel make a State for these wackos out of its own homeland? Why is Islam considered a valid religion when it worships Satan and distains all we hold dear and honorable? Why is evil so valuable that it must be protected and supported?




12 posted on 07/15/2005 11:31:39 PM PDT by American in Israel (A wise man's heart directs him to the right, but the foolish mans heart directs him toward the left.)
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