London Bridge inquest: Victim said ‘I love you’ to fiance moments before death

A woman kissed her fiance and told him “I love you” before she was killed in the London Bridge and Borough Market attack, an inquest has heard.

It came as police released a photo of the van used by the terrorists on 3 June 2017 to mow down their victims before stabbing other bystanders.

Eight people were killed and more than 48 others were seriously injured in less than 10 minutes of “high and terrible drama”, the chief coroner said.

The victims were Christine Archibald, 30, Xavier Thomas, 45, Alexandre Pigeard, 26, Sara Zelenak, 21, Kirsty Boden, 28, Sebastien Belanger, 36, James McMullan, 32, and 39-year-old Ignacio Echeverria.

The attackers, Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, were shot dead by police at the scene.

An eight-week inquiry has begun at the Old Bailey which will be followed by a separate hearing for the inquests of their killers in front of a jury.

As families paid tribute to their loved ones at the start of the inquests, Tyler Ferguson recalled his last moments with his fiancee, Canadian Christine Archibald.

In a statement read to the court, Mr Ferguson said they had been “very much looking forward” to spending the rest of their lives together and starting a family.

He said the couple had been visiting the capital and decided to walk over London Bridge after using the tube.

He said Ms Archibald, who worked in a shelter, “stopped me out of nowhere, gave me a passionate kiss and told me she loved me”.

“Then the attack happened and Chrissy was killed.”

Judge Mark Lucraft QC said many lives were saved by the “rapid response of bystanders and emergency services”.

The three men started attacking people as soon they left the van.

Australian Sara Zeleniak, 21, was stabbed multiple times on the steps leading to the bridge, the inquest heard.

Sebastian Belanger, 36 and from France, appeared to have fought back after he was cornered by all three attackers.

Police officers who arrived on the scene were also attacked.

Spanish national Ignacio Echeverria, 39, tried to help police by hitting attackers with his skateboard before being stabbed to death.

Another tribute described French victim Xavier Thomas as “fearless, dynamic, unselfish, very hard working and always positive in every situation” by his girlfriend Christine Delcos, who was among the injured.

Overcome with emotion, she said their relationship had been a “passionate love story”.

Mr Thomas’ parents said in court that his killers were “barbarians” who had left them in “inconsolable despair”.

The partner of Australian nurse Kirsty Boden, 28, who was killed as she ran towards the attack in a selfless bid to save people, told how he is still “in awe of her bravery”.

Jams Hodder told the court: “Despite me being a pasty, bumbling, British accountant, Kirsty fell in love with me and our love never stopped growing from the first summer in 2013.”

Judge Lucraft QC expressed his condolences in court for the victims and their families.

He said he hoped the inquest would answer the “obvious and understandable questions” of the relatives and give them some comfort.

Earlier, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, the head of UK counter-terrorism policing Neil Basu and the Commissioner of City of London Police Ian Dyson joined the families in standing for a minute’s silence.

The inquests are expected to examine why there were no barriers to protect pedestrians on London Bridge on 3 June.

The court will hear from more witnesses, the family and friends of attackers and a senior MI5 officer in the coming weeks.

Other evidence is expected to include CCTV footage of the attacks as well as footage from members of the public caught up in the attack.

(c) Sky News 2019: London Bridge inquest: Victim said ‘I love you’ to fiance moments before death