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7/7 inquests: Bus bomb 'preventable' - victim's mother 7/7 inquests: Survivor describes narrow escape on bus
(about 1 hour later)
The mother of a man blown up on a bus in London on 7 July 2005 has described the terrorist attack as "preventable". A 7 July survivor described how she decided not to sit next to one of the suicide bombers because there was no room for her laptop and his rucksack.
Marie Fatayi-Williams told the 7/7 inquests her son Anthony's death was "totally unnecessary", suggesting authorities could have foreseen it. Lisa French told the 7/7 inquests how she followed the bomber up the stairs of a packed number 30 bus at Tavistock Square in London in 2005.
She also criticised police delays in telling her of his death and said her pain was "too deep for tears". Ms French ended up sitting about four rows in front of Hasib Hussain.
Her son, from Hendon, north London, was one of 13 killed when Hasib Hussain blew himself up in Tavistock Square. Moments later the 18-year-old detonated his home-made device, killing 13 people on board the red double-decker bus.
Mrs Fatayi-Williams said: "Anthony's life was cut short in a needless, totally unnecessary and preventable attack on London. Ms French told the inquests at the High Court: "I made the decision not to go and sit next to him because I was aware we both had very big bags and that he, we, you know, would be taking up a lot of room."
BT employee Ms French, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, who had been due to attend a business meeting in Angel, north London, took the bus after arriving at King's Cross to find the Underground station closed.
After the blast she roused to see an empty space where the back of the bus had been.
"There were no seats left behind me attached to the bus. There was literally no bus left. It just dropped down behind our seats," she told the inquests.
Referring to images of the wrecked vehicle, showing a pole protruding from a twisted seat, she said: "That's where I woke up."
'Totally unnecessary'
Commuter Anita Dybek-Echtermeyer told the inquests how Hasib Hussain boarded a crowded number 91 bus at King's Cross carrying a heavy backpack and looking nervous and sweaty.
Ms Dybek-Echtermeyer later realised the man was Hussain, who blew himself up on the second bus.
Disruption caused by earlier Tube bombings meant Ms Dybek-Echtermeyer's bus shortened its journey so she tried unsuccessfully to get a number 30 bus at Tavistock Square.
She said: "I walked a few steps, maybe 10m (33ft), and then I felt this huge noise and this blast of air going through. So I turned and I saw the bus going into the air and I just ran."
The inquests into the deaths of 52 people have previously heard evidence from passengers on Tube trains that were targeted by three other suicide bombers at Aldgate, Edgware Road and Russell Square, on 7 July 2005.
The mother of Anthony Fatayi-Williams told the inquests that her son's death on the number 30 bus was "totally unnecessary", suggesting the authorities could have foreseen it.
On the day of the attacks, 26-year-old Mr Fatayi-Williams' journey to Old Street in central London was disrupted by the chaos caused by the earlier bombings.
Marie Fatayi-Williams said: "Anthony's life was cut short in a needless, totally unnecessary and preventable attack on London.
"His family continues to miss him sorely, even after these five years. We, his parents, continue to wonder if his death could have been prevented, or even the attacks foreseen by the relevant authorities.""His family continues to miss him sorely, even after these five years. We, his parents, continue to wonder if his death could have been prevented, or even the attacks foreseen by the relevant authorities."
Helped others
The inquests into the deaths of 52 people have previously heard evidence from passengers on Tube trains which were targeted by three other suicide bombers.
Mr Fatayi-Williams, 26, was educated in Nigeria, France and the UK before joining multinational engineering firm Amec as an oil executive.
On the day of the attacks, his journey to Old Street in central London was disrupted by the chaos caused by the earlier bombings.
Witnesses have told how he helped other commuters and pointed confused travellers in the right direction before boarding the number 30 bus.
The co-ordinated attacks hit the transport system as the morning rush hour drew to a close, killing 52 people and injuring more than 770.
The first three were on Underground trains just outside Aldgate and Edgware Road stations, and one travelling between King's Cross and Russell Square.
'Tower of strength''Tower of strength'
The inquests at the High Court also heard tributes to other victims of the bus bomb. The inquests heard tributes to other victims of the bus bomb.
Father-of-two Giles Hart, 55, from Hornchurch, Essex, was a "devoted" husband who had married a Polish woman.Father-of-two Giles Hart, 55, from Hornchurch, Essex, was a "devoted" husband who had married a Polish woman.
An active campaigner on several causes, he was posthumously granted the Knights Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for his services to democracy.An active campaigner on several causes, he was posthumously granted the Knights Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for his services to democracy.
City worker Jamie Gordon, 30, from Enfield, north London, was described as "simply the best son in the world".City worker Jamie Gordon, 30, from Enfield, north London, was described as "simply the best son in the world".
Mother-of-two Marie Hartley, 34, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, had been evacuated from a Tube station and sent a text to say she was safe, only to board the ill-fated bus.Mother-of-two Marie Hartley, 34, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, had been evacuated from a Tube station and sent a text to say she was safe, only to board the ill-fated bus.
Computer analyst Neetu Jain, 37, from Hendon, north London, was about to marry her partner.Computer analyst Neetu Jain, 37, from Hendon, north London, was about to marry her partner.
Another victim, Sam Ly, 28, who was born in Vietnam, died from his injuries a week after the bus bombing.Another victim, Sam Ly, 28, who was born in Vietnam, died from his injuries a week after the bus bombing.
Sri Lanka-born Shyanuja Niroshini Parathasangary, 30, from Kensal Rise, north London, was described as a "tower of strength" to anyone who needed her help.Sri Lanka-born Shyanuja Niroshini Parathasangary, 30, from Kensal Rise, north London, was described as a "tower of strength" to anyone who needed her help.
Charity worker Anat Rosenberg, 39, from Finsbury Park, north London, was said by her partner to be "gregarious" and "vivacious".Charity worker Anat Rosenberg, 39, from Finsbury Park, north London, was said by her partner to be "gregarious" and "vivacious".
City worker Philip Russell, 28, from Kennington, south London, was a "true gentleman".City worker Philip Russell, 28, from Kennington, south London, was a "true gentleman".
IT specialist William Wise, 54, commuted daily from his home in Notting Hill, west London, to his job in the City.IT specialist William Wise, 54, commuted daily from his home in Notting Hill, west London, to his job in the City.
Gladys Wundowa, 50, from Ilford, Essex, was planning to move back to her native Ghana with husband Emmanuel.Gladys Wundowa, 50, from Ilford, Essex, was planning to move back to her native Ghana with husband Emmanuel.
'Bad manners' The sister of picture researcher Miriam Hyman, 31, from Barnet, north London, said she "brought great joy and laughter".
A commuter told the inquests how one of the 7/7 bombers boarded her bus carrying a heavy backpack and looking nervous and sweaty. Relatives of Shahara Islam, a 20-year-old bank cashier from Plaistow, east London, said she was an "Eastender, a Londoner and British, but above all a true Muslim and proud to be so".
Anita Dybek-Echtermeyer was struck by the "bad manners" of the man who got on a crowded number 91 at King's Cross.
Ms Dybek-Echtermeyer later realised the man was Hasib Hussain, who blew himself up on the second bus.
Describing the rucksack, she said: "It looked very heavy and very properly packed - full, I think around 60 litres.
"It had to be heavy because he had a strap on to carry the whole thing. Also he himself looked very exhausted and he was sweating on his chin, and that was horrible to look at."
Disruption caused by the earlier Tube bombs meant that bus ended its journey early so Ms Dybek-Echtermeyer tried unsuccessfully to get a number 30 at Tavistock Square.
She said: "I walked a few steps, maybe 10m (33ft), and then I felt this huge noise and this blast of air going through. So I turned and I saw the bus going into the air and I just ran."