7/7 bomb victim killed instantly

David Foulkes

AUSTERLANDS man David Foulkes died instantly from head and leg injuries he suffered in the July 7 suicide bomb attacks, an inquest heard yesterday.

The 22-year-old former Hulme Grammar School pupil, who had moved to London to start a new job, was one of six people killed on the Edgware Road train in 2005. An inquest into the deaths of all 52 victims is now under way.

Coroner Lady Justice Hallett heard that unhurt passengers from a second service clambered into the Edgware Road train after a bomb ripped through the carriage.

The stricken eastbound Circle Line train came to rest alongside another train, a short distance from Edgware Road.

Passengers went to help and were joined by at least 19 London Underground staff who ran from near-by offices in the busy network depot.

Video footage filmed by police documented how the improvised rucksack bomb obliterated parts of the roof, walls and doors of the train, leaving the inside barely recognisable.

The body of bomber Mohammed Sidique Khan was ripped apart by the force of the blast and his spine was found underneath the carriage, the inquest heard.

Hugo Keith QC, said all of those killed on the Edgware train died before emergency services arrived.

He said off–duty medical staff shouted instructions from the eastbound service to others attempting to resuscitate those in the stricken carriage.

Mr Keith added: “As the bombed westbound and eastbound trains came to rest alongside one another, the horror of what had occurred became plain to the occupants of the other train.

“At first they heard cries of anguish and for help, but once the smoke had cleared the view, it was clearly just inches away.

“Occupants of the eastbound train, unable to open the carriage doors, exited through a smashed window and clambered across tracks to help.

“Joining them in the second carriage were passengers from other carriages.

“These individuals, alongside occupants of the bombed carriage, assisted the injured and dying prior to the arrival of the emergency services.”

The bomb detonated close to the forward set of double doors in the second carriage of six, leaving the train to stop 135 metres from Edgware Road station.

The explosion left a crater in the floor, in which at least one victim was trapped with terrible fatal injuries. Helpers were forced to swing from handrails to reach the injured.

The video showed personal items, including black luggage, inside the devastated carriage and panels from the carriage blown against the side of the tunnel.

The inquest continues.