The convicted murderer is among the four heroes of the London Bridge attack who will receive the last of the Queen’s Medals of Bravery
A convicted murderer is among the four heroes of the attack on London Bridge who will receive the last medals of bravery from the late Queen.
Steven Gallant and three others, including a man who wielded a narwhal tusk at the suspect, confronted convicted terrorist Usman Khan as he carried out his attack at a prison education conference at Fishmongers’ Hall in November 2019.
Khan, who had two large knives and a fake suicide belt, fatally stabbed Cambridge graduates Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23. He injured three other people before running onto the bridge.
Mr. Gallant, who was convicted of a murder in 2005, will appear on this year’s Civilian Gallantry list, the latest approved by Her Majesty, along with fellow heroes John Crilly, Darryn Frost and Lukasz Koczocik.
Convicted murderer Steven Gallant (pictured) is among the four heroes of the London Bridge attack to be awarded the late Queen’s final Medals of Bravery.
Steven Gallant and three others, including a man who wielded a narwhal tusk at the suspect, confronted terrorist Usman Khan (pictured) as he carried out his November 2019 attack.
The terrorist killed graduates Jack Merritt (left) and Saskia Jones (right) at the event in Fishmonger’s Hall before running off onto London Bridge.
The four men confronted the double killer with makeshift weapons after he launched his attack on conference attendees.
The former prisoner, Mr. Crilly, sprayed Khan with a fire extinguisher and the communications manager, Mr. Frost, struck Khan with a narwhal tusk, knocking him off balance.
The group’s actions forced Khan to leave the building. Gallant then tackled Khan to the ground, where the three held him down until armed police arrived.
It came after Koczocik used a long ceremonial pike taken from the walls of the Grade II listed building to disarm Khan, who was eventually shot dead by police.
Gallant, one of two men convicted of killing Barrie Jackson in Hull in 2005, was first allowed on his license when the incident occurred.
“Had Gallant not held his ground, it is likely the attacker would have gone up to the main conference room and could have claimed more lives,” reads the medal citation, which was reviewed by The Times.
The four men will each receive the Queen’s Medal of Gallantry.
All four men will appear on this year’s Civilian Gallantry list, the last to be endorsed by the late Queen Elizabeth II, and will receive a Queen’s Gallantry Medal (pictured)
Steve Gallant (left) is pictured with Jack Merritt (right), who was killed in the London Bridge attack, at the end of a Learning Together training course in April 2018.
“Had Gallant (pictured) not held his ground, it is likely the attacker would have made his way up to the main conference room and could have claimed more lives,” the medals citation read.
Corrections officer Adam Roberts, who accompanied Mr Gallant to the event on the day of his release, is also on the list, having provided first aid to Ms Jones after she was stabbed.
Mr Roberts said yesterday: “I feel a bit mixed, it’s very hard to celebrate when it’s because of something that turned out so badly.”
“It ended with Saskia literally dying in front of me while we were trying to keep her alive, so it’s really hard to celebrate when my thoughts are with her.”
“It’s really important that everyone who contributed is recognized in some way.”
Also on the 15-person civil gallantry list is church bell ringer John Rees, 88, who was killed trying to stop a mentally ill woman from carrying out a knife attack at a Co-op store on May 5, 2020.
He was stabbed and beaten with two bottles of wine and a fire extinguisher by the schizophrenic Zara Radcliffe during the attack in Pen Y Graig, Rhondda, South Wales.
The narwhal tusk used by Darryn Frost when the group confronted terrorist Usman Khan
Pictured: Khan confronts armed police on London Bridge after the attack on Fishmongers’ Hall.
Lisa Way and Ayette Bounouri, who were in the store at the time, have also been recognized for their role in helping confront Radcliffe.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, said: ‘We all hope to react with courage to danger. These people have lived that test and responded in the most admirable way.
‘Your selfless actions have saved lives, and I want to express my deep appreciation for your willingness to put yourself in harm’s way to protect others.
“They are all extremely worthy winners of Her Majesty the late Queen’s final civil gallantry awards.”
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