London Bridge attack vigil – who attended and what happened?
THE tragic victims of the London Bridge terror attack on November 29, 2019 were honoured in a vigil today.
But what time was the service memorialising Jack Merrit and Saskia Jones? Here's the details...
What time was the London Bridge attack vigil today?
The service where members of the public, family and friends can pay their respects to Jack and Saskia is today at 11 am at Guildhall Yard.
A book of condolences will be placed at Guildhall Art Gallery where well-wishers can write down tributes.
Members of the public are also encouraged to leave flowers outside of nearby Mansion House if they wish.
The vigil is less than a mile from Fishmongers' Hall where Usman Khan launched his deadly rampage.
Catherine McGuinness, Policy Chair at the City of London Corporation, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this terrible attack.
"We are incredibly grateful for the swift response of the emergency services and members of the public on Friday. This incident showcased Londoners at their very best - working together and risking their lives to help others.”
Who attended the vigil?
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan will be in attendance.
Khan said: "I am proud to be joining Londoners from across our city to honour and remember those who were killed and injured in this vile terrorist attack. We will stand together to send a powerful message across the world that those who seek to attack and divide our city will never succeed.
"Like many, I will never forget the bravery of ordinary Londoners and the emergency services who risked their own lives to save others. They are the best of us. Our city - the greatest city in the world - will continue to stand united and resolute against terror," reports .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn were also amongst those attending as well as members of the public, family and friends.
Who was Jack Merritt?
Jack Merritt was tragically killed during the London Bridge terror attack.
The 25-year-old was remembered as a "beautiful spirit" after he and a woman were killed in the knife rampage on Friday afternoon.
Jack was a course counsellor for Learning Together, which was hosting the event at Fishmongers' Hall in central London when terrorist Usman Khan, 28, unleashed his horror attack while wearing a fake suicide jacket.
The terrorist had just been released from prison in December last year after being convicted of terrorism offences.
Who was Saskia Jones?
Saskia Jones was a 23-year-old Cambridge grad from Stratford-upon-Avon.
In 2017 she graduated from Anglia Ruskin University with a degree in Psychology and Criminology before going on to complete a Master's at Cambridge University.
At the time of her death she was working as a personal trainer, but she had plans to join West Midlands Police “with a view to specialising in case management and victim support’’.
Saskia was passionate about stopping violence against women and girls and carried out extensive research on the subject.
On November 29, 2019 terrorist, Usman Khan stabbed Saskia Jones in a rampage at Fishmongers' Hall on the north side of the river.
Saskia and another victim, Jack Merritt, tragically lost their lives.
Paying tribute, Saskia's family said she "was a funny, kind, positive influence at the centre of many people's lives.
"She had a wonderful sense of mischievous fun and was generous to the point of always wanting to see the best in all people.
"She was intent on living life to the full and had a wonderful thirst for knowledge, enabling her to be the best she could be.
"Saskia had a great passion for providing invaluable support to victims of criminal injustice, which led her to the point of recently applying for the police graduate recruitment programme, wishing to specialise in victim support.
"This is an extremely painful time for the family. Saskia will leave a huge void in our lives."
On a previous post on her Facebook, Saskia had written: "I hope when I'm gone, someone picks my soul up and thinks, I would have loved her."
What happened at London Bridge on November 29, 2019?
Attacker Usman Khan, 28, from Staffordshire, was released from prison in December 2018 after being convicted of terrorism offences.
Despite being known to police, Khan went on to stab two people to death while wearing a fake suicide jacket just under a year after his release.
Khan was a guest at a Cambridge University conference on prisoner rehabilitation when he launched the attack at historic Fishmongers' Hall in central London.
Those at the event at the Grade II listed building said he entered the main hall and went on a rampage just before 2pm, attacking anyone who crossed his path.
He then made his way on to London Bridge - the scene of the 2017 terror attack which killed eight - but was eventually pinned down by heroes who tackled him with a fire extinguisher and a narwhal tusk.
A man and a woman were killed during the attack, named as Jack Merrittand Saskia Jones.
Three other people - a man and two women - remain in hospital.
