Sister of London Bridge attack victim says 'stay strong to defeat terror'

The family of a banker killed in the London Bridge attack today said the world “must stay strong and united against terrorism” at a cathedral service marking the third anniversary of the atrocity.

Ignacio Echeverria, 39, was knifed to death trying to protect a woman who had been stabbed, one of the eight victims being remembered at Southwark cathedral.

The service, led by the Bishop of Southwark Christopher Chessun, was broadcast on YouTube allowing families of those killed, seven of whom were foreign nationals, to join from overseas. Others took part virtually sending pre-recorded messages.

Mr Echeverria’s sister Isabel said in her message: “We must be aware that we are not the only ones who were hit by terrorism. Unfortunately, there are other families suffering due to the same cause in the UK and around the world.”

Her brother, a graduate of the Sorbonne who moved to the UK from Spain and worked for HSBC, was cycling with friends when he saw a French woman being attacked on the bridge.

He used his skateboard to fight the assailant off, enabling her to escape, but was stabbed twice. His parents were later presented with The George Medal by the Queen in recognition of his bravery.

Isabel added: “We must stay strong and united against terrorism and fear because we can defeat it if we stay all together.

"We must remember Ignacio’s example, who jumped from his bike to face the terror and unselfishly risked his life to save others.”

James Hodder, whose partner Kirsty Boden who was also killed, said in his message: “I cannot believe it has been three years since I kissed Kirsty goodbye for the last time and got to see that beautiful smile.”

Miss Boden, 28, a nurse from Australia who worked at Guy’s Hospital, was off-duty and ran to help when she heard the attackers’ van crash. She was tending the injuries of victims on the bridge when she was stabbed.

Mr Hodder said: “We all miss her so much and despite my best efforts, the world still seems like a much darker place without her, especially at the moment when I know as a nurse, that she would be doing everything in her power to save as many lives as possible during this horrible pandemic.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Peter John, leader of Southwark Council, and the Very Rev Andrew Nunn, Dean of Southwark, also paid tribute and reflected on the attack on tourists and Londoners on a summer’s evening on June 3, 2017.

Police shot dead Khuram Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba after they had rammed pedestrians with a van and rampaged through Borough Market with knives. During the attack 48 people were also injured including four un-armed police officers.

Mr Khan said: “As a city we remember the victims, their families and the emergency services and first responders who ran towards danger without a second thought. My thoughts are with the families and friends who lost loved ones in this awful attack, and who are having to adjust to grieving in very different and difficult circumstances this year.

“The cowardly terrorists who commit these dreadful acts do so to try and divide us, and to change how we treat one another. But we should be proud of the way our city has responded — time and time again — by remaining united.

“Londoners will always see our diversity as one of our greatest strengths, and we will continue to honour the innocent victims by staying true to the values that bind us together.”

Mr John said: “We will never forget the loss and pain caused by those evil acts, but we also remember the bravery shown by so many that night, and the way our great city came together in the face of evil, to stand and remain united.”

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