First victim of London terror attack named as Christine Archibald
Written by News on 05/06/2017
The first victim of the London terror attack has been named as Canadian national Christine Archibald.
Her family revealed she had worked in a homeless shelter before moving to Europe to be with her fiancé.
They said in a statement: "We grieve the loss of our beautiful, loving daughter and sister. She had room in her heart for everyone and believed strongly that every person was to be valued and respected.
"She lived this belief working in a shelter for the homeless until she moved to Europe to be with her fiancé. She would have had no understanding of the callous cruelty that caused her death.
"Please honour her by making your community a better place. Volunteer your time and labour or donate to a homeless shelter. Tell them Chrissy sent you."
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Seven people were killed in a marauding van and knife attack on London Bridge and the nearby Borough Market on Saturday night.
Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau said he was "heartbroken" a Canadian was among those killed.
He said: "These hateful acts do not deter us; they only strengthen our resolve.
"Canadians stand united with the British people. We will continue to work together with the United Kingdom and all our allies to fight terrorism and bring perpetrators to justice."
The injured victims
A total of 48 people – including foreign nationals from Spain, Germany, New Zealand and Australia – were hurt in the attack, and 36 of them are still being treated in hospital.
NHS England said 21 of those are in a critical condition. The three male attackers were gunned down by armed police in a barrage of bullets within eight minutes of the officers receiving the first report of the atrocity.
Oliver Dowling, a 32-year-old from New Zealand, was left in a coma after undergoing four hours of surgery for his injuries.
It was reported that his girlfriend, Marie Bondeville, was also injured.
It is thought three Australians were wounded.
Candice Hedge, 31, needed an operation after being stabbed in the throat as she ate dinner with her boyfriend.
Andrew Morrison received stitches for a wound and was on his way home to Australia.
Sky News Australia showed footage of him holding a bandage around his neck, saying: "All of a sudden a guy comes up with a knife, I ducked it, but he got me," he said in the footage.
The identity of a third Australian injured has yet to be confirmed.
Sunday Express business editor Geoff Ho was also slashed in the throat after reportedly stepping in to help a lone bouncer being targeted by the attackers.
Videos emerged online of Mr Ho being escorted topless by police after "jumping in" when the guard was attacked.
"Don’t know whether it was stupid or noble to jump in and break up the fight," he posted on Facebook moments after the incident.
"But two a******** trying to do over the lone bouncer on the door isn’t happening on my watch."
A British Transport Police officer and an off-duty Metropolitan Police officer are in hospital with serious injuries but neither are believed to be in a life-threatening condition, Scotland Yard said.
The BTP officer, who was on duty, was one of the first at the scene after he responded to calls for help from the public.
(c) Sky News 2017: First victim of London terror attack named as Christine Archibald
