Briton Killed In Paris Was 'Everyone's Friend'

A friend of a British man killed in the Paris attacks has revealed how she desperately tried to save him as he lay dying after he was shot in front of her.

Nick Alexander, from Colchester, Essex, was shot when the Bataclan music venue was stormed by terrorists in a gun and bomb rampage that killed 89 people.

The 36-year-old veteran merchandise manager was working for the American rock band Eagles of Death Metal, who were playing at the venue on Friday night.

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He was with his American friend Helen Wilson, who described how up to six gunmen started spraying bullets, targeting wheelchair users in particular.

She told the Daily Telegraph how she and Mr Alexander lay down on the floor when the gunfire started, but someone moved and the attackers turned to them and began shooting.

Ms Wilson, who was shot in both legs during the attack, tried to give Mr Alexander mouth-to-mouth resuscitation after he "was shot in front of me".

"His back was to me and I couldn't see what happened and I tried to keep him talking and then I tried to give him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and they [the gunmen] were just sort of in the shadows and they would shoot if anyone said anything," she told the paper.

"Then he couldn’t breathe anymore and I held him in my arms and told him I loved him. He was the love of my life."

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Ms Wilson, who had dated Mr Alexander in the past, is recovering in a Paris hospital.

Mr Alexander's family said: "Nick was not just our brother, son and uncle, he was everyone's best friend - generous, funny and fiercely loyal.

"Nick died doing the job he loved and we take great comfort in knowing how much he was cherished by his friends around the world."

Polina Buckley said she was Mr Alexander's girlfriend and had appealed on Twitter for help finding him in the wake of the attacks.

She later posted a tribute to him on Facebook saying: "3 years ago on this day I met you on the corner of East 15th and Irving Pl.

"I fell in love the moment I laid eyes on you.

"This was the most loving, passionate and eventful relationship I've ever experienced.

"You were my everything. My lover, my best friend, my soulmate.

"I am completely crushed and heartbroken right now. I will miss you terribly.

"Sleep tight, my sweet prince. I will always love you, Nick Alexander."

Ms Buckley later appealed for any of her Facebook friends in New York to join her at the French consulate in the city and be a "temporary shoulder to cry on".

She was then pictured in tears sitting among the tributes left outside the building.

Mr Alexander had worked in merchandise for a number of bands on European tours, including the Black Keys, Sum 41 and the Disco, Rolling Stone magazine said.

Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney told the magazine Mr Alexander "was a really organised, super hard worker, really funny."

"I remember him always very content with being on tour. It was what seems to make him the happiest," he said.

"After shows, when everyone would go wild or whatever, he would also be really reserved.

"He was just a sweetheart, that guy."

He added: "I remember he looked more like a rock star than anyone else on the tour, in the best possible sense."

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Mr Alexander's colleague Mick Bowes told Sky News: "Nick was a hard working, honest guy, amongst the best in his field, just doing what he loves.

"I worked with him a number of times and it was always a pleasure.

"It's a sad day in the music industry."

A GoFundMe account has been set up in memory of Mr Alexander. It has raised more than $41,000 (£27,000).

The page says the funds will be donated to his family.

Britain's Foreign Office has warned a "handful" of people from the UK may have lost their lives.

:: The Foreign Office says those concerned about British nationals caught up in the attacks should call 020 7008 0000

:: Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs says anyone concerned about Irish nationals caught up in the attacks should call 01 408 2000

:: People concerned about relatives and friends can report someone missing by calling 197 or 0800 40 60 05 in France for police. The French Ministry of the Interior has also set up a dedicated website on interieur.gouv.fr