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HERO WITNESS

Berlin truck attack suspect ‘chased for a MILE by hero bystander who then alerted police that man was hiding in park’

A HERO witness chased the Berlin Christmas market terror attack suspect for more than a mile, helping police to catch and arrest him.

They reportedly followed the driver of the truck after it ploughed into the Breitscheidplatz Christmas markets last night, killing 12 people and injuring 50.

The suspect fled the scene of the massacre, running towards the huge Tiergarten park in the city centre - but the bystander followed him for 1.25 miles whilst on the phone to the police and telling them his location.

He was taken into custody near the Victory Column monument in the park, over 2km from the attack, where police believe he was trying to hide using the dark as cover.

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The suspect was named locally today as Navid B, a 23-year-old Pakistani refugee who entered Germany earlier this year and was living at the Temepelhof refugee camp, which was raided at 4am this morning.

A number of casualties are also believed to be refugees.

The crash occurred in Breitscheidplatz, a major public square in the city in a chilling echo of the deadly terror attack in Nice earlier this year.

A truck carrying 25 tonnes of steel was hijacked by the suspect, who allegedly shot and killed the Polish driver before taking over and ploughing into the Christmas market last night.

It has been reported ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack, though this is yet to be verified.

It does come just weeks after the terror group called for "festive slaughter".

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was reported to be "mourning the dead", while Christian Schmidt, Minister of Food and Agriculture, condemned the "abominable attack".

 The lorry driver fled the scene and headed for a nearby park - but he was being followed by a witness of the attack
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The lorry driver fled the scene and headed for a nearby park - but he was being followed by a witness of the attackCredit: Reuters
 The market was busy with tourists and locals when the attack took place
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The market was busy with tourists and locals when the attack took placeCredit: Alamy
 So far 12 people have been killed, including the original driver of the truck, who was shot when the suspect hijacked the vehicle
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So far 12 people have been killed, including the original driver of the truck, who was shot when the suspect hijacked the vehicleCredit: Reuters

He said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the dead, their loved ones, and the injured.

"God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and consideration.

"One thing is clear to me: we also need a spirit of determination. No hesitation in the governmental fight against terrorism; instead, decisive action.

"All those who wield political power are commanded to take on board the realities of this threat. This is the hour of national and international unity."

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