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Swift Police Response, Individual Heroism in London Bridge Attack

by Jamie Dettmer

   Stories of heroism are being shared in the wake of eight minutes of
   terror that struck the Borough Market district of London late Saturday.

   Seven people died in a stabbing rampage carried out by three men, who
   also drove a van at Saturday night revelers. Several of the nearly 50
   people wounded in the attack remain in a critical condition, police
   officials say.

   But police say there could have been more casualties if staff and
   customers in pubs and restaurants had not reacted promptly, and others
   hadn't intervened to slow the attackers.

   A speedy response by armed police -- the three attackers were shot dead
   within eight minutes of the alarm being raised -- also reduced the
   number of casualties.

   First to respond

   After crashing their van near the London Bridge underground station,
   the assailants armed with 25-centimeter (about 10 inch) hunting knives
   went on a frenzy.

   Among the first to intervene was a transport policeman who reacted to
   screams and rushed to confront the attackers. He was stabbed several
   times, suffering "serious but not life-threatening injuries," according
   to police.

   As the attack unfolded, shock and confusion gave way to panic, but
   staff at several restaurants reacted quickly, locking doors and
   shepherding customers to cellars or kitchens.

   A taxi driver, who picked up two people fleeing the Black & Blue
   restaurant in Borough Market, told Sky News they thought their actions
   had saved lives.

   "They described to me how they prevented the guys from getting into the
   restaurant," the taxi driver said.

   He added: "They tried to break in. She managed to hold the door for a
   few seconds, but then I think they were overpowered. They managed to
   escape from a rear door, possibly saving a good 20 people's lives, as
   they mentioned whilst I took them home." At the pub, as staff and
   customers retreated, some hurled bottles and cutlery at the attackers.

   Likewise, at the Sheaf pub, where the bouncers reacted quickly as
   fearful people ran in seeking sanctuary.

   "We didn't really know what was going on," said Will Orton, 25. "The
   bouncers did a really good job, they shut the doors and locked everyone
   in."

   Defending the wounded

   Elsewhere in the area, home to many restaurants and pubs that draw
   large crowds of mainly young people on the weekends, some bystanders
   sought to defend those being attacked. One man, who gave his name as
   Gerard, told the BBC he saw the attackers stab one woman a dozen times
   and heard another wounded man covered in blood pleading for help.

   He gave chase as the assailants moved on, shouting at people to run,
   warning them, "They're terrorists, they're stabbing everyone!"

   At the Southwark Tavern, he saw the men stab a bouncer. With no weapons
   of his own, he resorted to "throwing bottles at them, pint glasses,
   stools." Customers joined in, throwing chairs, glasses and other large
   objects to keep the attackers from entering.

   Earlier, Holly Jones told reporters she saw a man driving a white van
   veer onto the pavement at speed.

   "He swerved right round me and then hit five or six people," she said.
   "He hit about two people in front of me and then three behind and then
   swerved back into the road. He did this three times before he drove
   off. It was a blur. I'm in total shock." Two of the injured had badly
   mangled legs.

   Gratitude for police response

   Many of those caught up in violence spoke of their relief at the quick
   arrival of armed police.

   "It was one of those adrenaline-pumping moments," said one young man
   named Will. "It was nerve-wracking for me and the wife. For me the
   priority was too get out of this safely. I am really impressed how
   quickly the police and emergency services got here. All credit to
   them."

   Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said: "Armed
   officers responded very quickly and bravely, confronting three male
   suspects who were shot and killed in Borough Market. The suspects were
   wearing what looked like explosive vests but these were later
   established to be hoaxes."

   A counterterrorism official told VOA the fact the men wore such vests
   meant they'd decided this was a suicide mission.

   "They would have known we would shoot them on sight with those vests
   on," he said.

   London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was "appalled and furious" at attack.
   He praised the police.

   "We have the best police and security services in the world. They plan,
   prepare and rehearse for these sorts of incidents and we saw their
   swift response last night. We saw the speed with which they shot the
   terrorists and how they helped the injured as well," Khan said.