London bomb survivor walks down the aisle
A bride-to-be who lost both legs in the 7 July bomb attacks in London walked down the aisle at her wedding in London yesterday. Gill Hicks and fiancee Joe Kerr were married by Fr Kit Cunningham at St Etheldreda's in Ely Place, Holborn. Gill was the last person to be brought out alive from Russell Square tube station - but her legs had to be amputated below the knee. In the last few weeks she has learnt to walk again on prosthetic limbs.
Fr Kit said: "Gill is a very brave, very positive girl. The wedding was booked before the disaster and when I went to see her in hospital the first thing she said to me was: 'Father I shall walk up the aisle'. She's very determined and wants to get on with her life and not let this terrible disaster ruin it." Gill who is Australian, works for the Design Council. She was standing on the crowded train during the rush hour when the explosive-laden rucksack detonated, killing 26 people.
She told the BBC: "Life is precious and I feel that I have definitely been given life number two." Many members of the 330-strong congregation wept as she walked unaided towards the altar accompanied by her brother Graham. Among the guests were the two British Transport Police officers, Pcs Steve Bryan and Aaron Debnam, who rescued her from the wrecked station. They had carried her up 145 steps onto the street and thought she had died - until they were reunited with her last month during the filming of a BBC documentary.
A Papal Blessing and a message from Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor were read out at the end of the Mass. The couple are going to Australia for their honeymoon.