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Ex 'tried to protect' Bataclan victim Nick Alexander | Ex 'tried to protect' Bataclan victim Nick Alexander |
(35 minutes later) | |
The ex-girlfriend of a British man killed in the Paris attacks has described how she tried to save "the love of her life" after he was shot. | The ex-girlfriend of a British man killed in the Paris attacks has described how she tried to save "the love of her life" after he was shot. |
Nick Alexander, 35, was shot in the abdomen and chest in the Bataclan nightclub in November last year, Chelmsford Coroner's Court heard. | Nick Alexander, 35, was shot in the abdomen and chest in the Bataclan nightclub in November last year, Chelmsford Coroner's Court heard. |
The inquest heard written evidence from Helen Wilson, who was with him at the concert venue where 90 people died. | The inquest heard written evidence from Helen Wilson, who was with him at the concert venue where 90 people died. |
Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray ruled Mr Alexander was unlawfully killed. | Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray ruled Mr Alexander was unlawfully killed. |
Live updates | Live updates |
Ms Wilson said the pair had tried to "play dead" when they realised what was happening. | Ms Wilson said the pair had tried to "play dead" when they realised what was happening. |
'Saw blood' | 'Saw blood' |
"We dropped to the floor as soon as we heard the first shot," she said. | "We dropped to the floor as soon as we heard the first shot," she said. |
"A tall man came over to us and started shooting. I tried to protect Nick. | "A tall man came over to us and started shooting. I tried to protect Nick. |
"I asked him if he had been shot. I felt a burning sensation around my legs and I could see blood. | "I asked him if he had been shot. I felt a burning sensation around my legs and I could see blood. |
"Nick told me he had been shot in the stomach." | "Nick told me he had been shot in the stomach." |
Ms Wilson told the inquest she held on to Mr Alexander's hand while his breathing became shallower. | Ms Wilson told the inquest she held on to Mr Alexander's hand while his breathing became shallower. |
"I twisted my body around and gave him mouth-to-mouth. I was telling him not to leave me and I love him," she said. | "I twisted my body around and gave him mouth-to-mouth. I was telling him not to leave me and I love him," she said. |
Mr Alexander, from Colchester, Essex, was selling band merchandise for Eagles of Death Metal when he was killed in one of a series of co-ordinated attacks by gunmen across the city. | Mr Alexander, from Colchester, Essex, was selling band merchandise for Eagles of Death Metal when he was killed in one of a series of co-ordinated attacks by gunmen across the city. |
He was the only British national to die in the attacks, the Foreign Office told the BBC. | He was the only British national to die in the attacks, the Foreign Office told the BBC. |
Outside the coroner's court, Mr Alexander's sister Zoe said he "lived his life to the full". | |
Standing alongside her mother Sheelagh, she said her brother "lost his life in an indiscriminate act of terror at the Bataclan theatre". | |
"Nick was a much-loved son, brother, uncle and friend, a strong, gentle, generous and funny man who lived his life to the full," she said. | |
"We were blessed to have him in our lives and we miss him beyond measure." |