MONARCH'S THANKS
London Bridge attack – the Queen praises brave witnesses who risked their lives to tackle terrorist
THE Queen today thanked the brave witnesses who risked their own lives to tackle the terrorist who stabbed two people to death in a rampage near London Bridge yesterday.
Usman Khan, 28, was wearing a fake suicide vest when he was pinned to the ground then shot by armed police on Friday afternoon.
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Brave footage showed how members of the public grabbed a 5ft narwhal horn and fire extinguisher to stop the rampaging terrorist.
In a statement, the Queen said: "Prince Philip and I have been saddened to hear of the terror attacks at London Bridge.
"We send our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to all those who have lost loved ones and who have been affected by yesterday's terrible violence.
"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 selflessly help and protect others."
Hell unfolded in just eight minutes as the convicted terrorist went on a rampage from 2pm yesterday.
He stabbed five people, killing two - a man and a woman and injuring another two women and a man.
As he fled the Grade II listed building towards London Bridge - the scene of the horrific 2017 terrorist attack that killed eight - three incredibly brave bystanders grabbed makeshift weapons from the hall and accosted Khan.
One man, named only as Lukasz is thought to be a Polish chef who grabbed a 6ft whale tusk from the wall and gave the attacker "a beating."
Do YOU know Lukasz or any of the other hero bystanders? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502.
In the footage, another man sprays Khan with jets of foam and water from a fire extinguisher as he flails and slips on the bridge.
A third man wrestles the attacker to the floor - at the time none of the men were aware that the suicide vest Khan was strapped into was a hoax as they battled to bring him down.
One of the men who helped stop Khan was convicted murderer James Ford who was out on day release.
Speaking yesterday, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan sad: "Members of the public didn’t realise at the time that was a hoax device and they really are the best of us, another example of the bravery and heroism of ordinary Londoners running towards danger, risking their own personal safety to try and save others."
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Questions have now emerged around how the terrorist - who was wearing a monitoring tag during the attack yesterday - was released automatically on licence 11 months ago.
Met Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said last night: "Clearly a key line of enquiry now is to establish how he came to carry out this attack."
The Parole Board said in a statement this morning they had "no involvement" in Khan's release.
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