London Bridge victims’ families hear how they died at inquest

A mother has heard how her daughter was brutally stabbed to death in the London Bridge terror attack, as the inquests of the victims were formally opened.

Australian nanny Sara Zelenak, 21, died after one of the attackers stabbed her in the neck while she was enjoying a night out at Borough Market.

Ms Zelenak’s mother, Julie Wallace, sat at the front of the hearing as details of her daughter’s death were read out.

Southwark Coroner’s Court heard how eight victims were murdered on 3 June when three attackers ploughed into pedestrians on London Bridge before going on a stabbing spree in Borough Market.

Coroner Andrew Harris opened and adjourned the inquests of Miss Zelenak, Kirsty Boden, 28, Sebastien Belanger, 36, James McMullan, 32, and Ignacio Echeverria, 39.

:: The victims of the London terror attack

Mr Harris told the families: "All of our thoughts and condolences are with you at this terrible time.

"One of the most horrible things is for parents to be in court hearing the details of a death, particularly a violent one, of their children."

Mr McMullan, from Brent, northwest London, was killed by a haemorrhage caused by a knife wound to his chest in Borough Market.

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Chef Mr Belanger, originally from Angers, western France, was drinking at the nearby Boro Bistro and also died from multiple stab injuries to the chest.

Ms Boden, a nurse from Loxton, Australia, was killed in Montague Close by a knife wound to the chest after running towards the danger to try to help people.

HSBC analyst Mr Echeverria, from As Pontes, northwest Spain, was stabbed in the back on London Bridge after trying to defend a woman with his skateboard. Representatives from the Spanish consulate attended on behalf of his family.

Armed police shot dead ringleader Khuram Butt, 27, and his two accomplices Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, just eight minutes after the first emergency call was made.

A hearing will take place on tomorrow into the deaths of Canadian Christine Archibald, 30, and Frenchmen Xavier Thomas, 45, and Alexandre Pigeard.

(c) Sky News 2017: London Bridge victims’ families hear how they died at inquest