One Morning in July: The Man Who Was First on the Scene Tells His Story About the Day That Changed London Forever

"I can remember the events of that morning as clearly as if they had happened to me yesterday. In fact, I think they will be etched onto my memory for the rest of my life."  —Aaron Debnam

 

On July 7, 2005, as morning rush hour was drawing to a close, four suicide bombers struck in central London, killing 52 people and injuring hundreds more. Aaron Debnam, a rapid response officer with the British Transport Police, took the call along with his unit to attend the explosion at Russell Square station. Nothing could have prepared him for the chaos that he would encounter when he was first on the scene that horrific day. His immense courage got him past the hoards of lost and shocked commuters, down into the blisteringly hot underground tunnel, and onto the train to help those who were still alive. This poignant recollection offers a unique insight into a terrorist attack that shocked the world and a reminder that, even in the face of such a devastating tragedy, the goodness of the human spirit can still shine through.