Barcelona attack – Family pay tribute to Brit boy Julian Cadman, 7, after he’s confirmed to have died in Las Ramblas terror attack as his mum regains consciousness
A SEVEN-year-old British boy has been confirmed as being killed in the Barcelona terror attack.
The devastated family of Julian Cadman today released a statement, describing him as an "energetic, funny and cheeky" boy - adding they had been lucky to have had him in their lives.
In a statement, the family said: "Julian was a much loved and adored member of our family.
"As he was enjoying the sights of Barcelona with his mother, Julian was sadly taken from us.
"He was so energetic, funny and cheeky, always bringing a smile to our faces."
They added: "We are so blessed to have had him in our lives and will remember his smiles and hold his memory dear to our hearts.
"We would like to thank all those who helped us in searching for Julian. Your kindness was incredible during a difficult time.
"We also acknowledge we are not the only family to be affected by the events, our prayers and thoughts are with all people affected."
The family asked for privacy, saying they needed to grieve privately.
The young boy's father Andrew Cadman had last night flown into the Spanish city from Sydney, taken straight to the morgue after his desperate 22-hour journey to find his son.
Julian, a student at St Bernadette's Primary in Lalor Park, New South Wales, Australia, was last seen with his mother in Las Ramblas when terrorists used a van to plough into pedestrians, killing 13 on Thursday night.
His mum, Jumarie, suffered two broken legs and head injuries, but regained consciousness in hospital before Julian’s death was confirmed yesterday.
A source said: “She was in an induced coma. She was asking about Julian before she lost consciousness and he would have been her first thought when she woke.”
In a post on Facebook, the Spanish missing persons bureau released a statement, saying: "The family of Julian Cadman has informed us that he is unfortunately one of the victims of the attack and has asked us to thank all the people who have spread news of his appeal.
"In these moments so unjust, hard and painful, we give the relatives and friends of Julian our condolences. Rest in peace."
A dual British-Australian citizen, Julian had been born in Kent in the UK but moved to Sydney three years ago.
The family had endured several days of anxious waiting after the attack, with Julian's grandmother Norma Canaveral, 66, saying the family was “worried sick” after the "really sweet boy" went missing.
But hope he might still be alive turned to grief after Mr Cadman was met by Australian officials as soon as he landed in Barcelona El Prat airport in Barcelona, and taken to the morgue.
The 42-year-old dad is believed to have stayed there for an hour before being taken to the hospital, driven under police escort.
Police earlier shared a message on social media, writing: "Neither were we searching nor have we found any lost child in the Barcelona attack. All the victims and injured have been located." Today they confirmed Julian was a victim of the atrocity.
British-born Julian, who went to a Kent nursery before moving to Australia aged three, became separated from his mother as the terrorists’ van zig-zagged through the crowd of tourists at 50mph.
Witnesses rushed to help those mowed down, with pharmacist Fouad Bakkali telling how he found mum Jumarie on the ground, desperately trying to comfort her as others cowered in fear.
But he said despite her horrific injuries, the mum repeatedly begged him "where's my son?"
Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull asked for people to "say a prayer" for the little boy, adding everyone understood the family's "anguish".
The Foreign Office today said: "We are assisting the family of an Australian-British child who was killed in the Barcelona terrorist attack.
"His family have our deepest sympathies at this very difficult time. Our staff are doing all they can to support them, working with our Australian colleagues and the Spanish authorities."
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop added: "The Australian government is deeply saddened to confirm that Julian Cadman, a seven year old Australian boy, was among those killed in the terrorist attack in Barcelona.
"We remain in close contact with the family who has requested privacy at this difficult and harrowing time and we ask the media to respect their request."
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Spain was left shaken by the terror attack, with victims from 34 countries including Spain, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Morocco, Canada, China, Colombia, Romania, Venezuela, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Greece, Holland and Peru.
A second attack involving a hire car unfolded hours later in the seaside resort of Cambrils - one person was killed, with dozens others injured after terrorists struck.
Spanish police have said 12 of the 14 people killed in the double terror attacks have been identified, with the identity of two victims yet to be confirmed.
Fifty-one people injured in the attack are still in hospital, with 81 already discharged - the youngest believed to be a three-year-old boy.
On Sunday the city in mourning gathered for a remembrance mass as it was revealed one of the terrorists behind the attacks travelled to Morocco to say goodbye to his family.
Among those also killed in the despicable attack was 42-year-old American Jared Tucker, who was celebrating his first wedding anniversary with Heidi Nunes, 40.
Italians Bruno Gulotta, a computer salesman, and Luca Russo, along with Belgian mother Elke Vanbockrijck, 44, were also killed.
Canadian grandfather Ian Moore Wilson was on holiday with his wife Valerie of 53 years when he was also fatally injured in the attack.
Four Spaniards, including Pepita Codina, 75, and Lopez Rodriguez, 60, were also killed.
Silvina Alejanda Pereyra, an Argentine-Spanish woman, who had lived in Barcelona for a decade was killed in the attack at Las Ramblas.
The person killed in the Cambrils attack was named as Ana Maria Suarez, 61, from Zaragoza, in north-east Spain.
Her husband and sister were both injured in the second attack at the seaside town.
Five terrorists were shot dead by armed police in Cambrils, with authorities launching a mammoth international manhunt to find those involved in planning the attack.
But it has since emerged that the terrorists were planning a far more devastating attack on various iconic parts of Barcelona.
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