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MY HEART STOPPED

I was left in tears by sickening flashbacks after Westminster attack, says mother of murdered soldier Lee Rigby

Lyn Rigby says the attack on Westminster brought back horrific memories of her own son's killing in Woolwich

LEE Rigby’s mum told yesterday how the horror outside Parliament made her collapse sobbing from sickening flashbacks to her soldier son’s murder.

The mowing down of victims by a car and the stabbing of PC Keith Palmer bore the same chilling hallmarks.

Lee Rigby was brutally killed near his barracks in Woolwich, South East London
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Lee Rigby was brutally killed near his barracks in Woolwich, South East LondonCredit: Henry Szymanski
Lee's mum Lyn at the memorial to her slain son
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Lee's mum Lyn at the memorial to her slain sonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Fusilier Lee, 25, was run over outside Woolwich barracks in South East London almost four years ago then mercilessly hacked to death by two Islamic extremists.

Lyn Rigby, 50, said: “The terror attack on Westminster made my world stop in its tracks just like when I realised the body of a stricken soldier covered in blood was my son.

“It was as if my heart stopped beating for a second as I saw it was happening all over again.

Khalid Masood mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before storming the gates at Parliament and stabbing a police officer to death during Wednesday's attack
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Khalid Masood mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before storming the gates at Parliament and stabbing a police officer to death during Wednesday's attackCredit: PA:Press Association

"I gasped out loud when I saw images of that poor policeman as people tried to save him.

“Then I collapsed into a heap and started sobbing uncontrollably.”

Westminster attacker Khalid Masood was also known as Adrian Elms and Adrian Russell Ajao
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Westminster attacker Khalid Masood was also known as Adrian Elms and Adrian Russell AjaoCredit: PA

She said: “Losing Lee was the worst thing that has ever happened to me.

“I prayed no one else would have to go through what I have suffered.

"Now there are children without a father and a wife without her husband.

PC Keith Palmer was stabbed to death outside Parliament
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PC Keith Palmer was stabbed to death outside ParliamentCredit: PA

“It’s impossible to understand the utter despair unless you have been through it.

"Another extremist has turned a car into a lethal weapon just as they did to my son.”

Red flowers she had planned to leave on her son’s grave today will now also be a Mother’s Day tribute to “every innocent person who lost their lives in Westminster”.

Amy, Courtney and Lynn with floral tributes to hero Lee
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Amy, Courtney and Lynn with floral tributes to hero LeeCredit: BILLY GRIFFITHS
A police officer places flowers and a photo of Pc Keith Palmer on Whitehall
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A police officer places flowers and a photo of Pc Keith Palmer on WhitehallCredit: PA:Press Association

Lyn said: “My heart is breaking all over again for the families of the new victims.

“They will never be able to rid their minds of the savage images of how their loved ones were brutally murdered.

“I thought I was moving forward after four years.

“But this week’s violence in London sent me straight back to day one.

The soldier was killed by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale- who were jailed in 2014
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The soldier was killed by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale- who were jailed in 2014Credit: Getty Images

“This was the starkest reminder of how I lost my beautiful son in such a barbaric way.

“I still have nightmares of Lee lying in a river of blood in the middle of the road and I fear this brave policeman’s wife will face the same.”

Lee’s killers Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale were British born just like Westminster beast Khalid Masood.

Both were jailed for life at the Old Bailey.

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