London terror victim speaks out: '˜I thought my two other friends were dead'
Owen Lambert was laughing and joking with his friends as they set out to explore the sights of London on a university trip.
But within minutes the teenager’s carefree day out in the capital turned into a nightmare as a terrorist struck.
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Hide AdOwen and four friends – all politics students on a visit to the Houses of Parliament - were walking along Westminster Bridge when terrorist Khalid Masood drove a Hyundai 4x4 straight at them.
The 18-year-old from Morecambe was hit by the speeding car and knocked to the ground.
“It all happened in a split-second,” said Owen.
“We were walking on the pavement along Westminster Bridge. I’m small and as I was behind my friends I didn’t see the car until the last second. The next thing, it was like a flash. I remember being hit.”
Owen fell onto his friend Travis Frain, 19, who had been walking in front of him and was also struck by the vehicle as it hurtled along the pavement towards Parliament, ploughing through groups of pedestrians.
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Hide Ad“I saw blood on Travis’ neck and I said to him ‘You’re bleeding’,” said Owen.
“But then he gestured to my head. I put my hand to my head and it was just red with blood. I realised it was my blood on Travis.
“It all happened so fast. I assume I was hit by the wing mirror.”
Passers-by and paramedics raced to their aid as Masood continued on his deadly path, crashing the hired car into the gates of Parliament.
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Hide AdAs Owen sat dazed on the bridge, clutching his wounded forehead, Masood burst into the grounds of Westminster.
He stabbed unarmed police officer Keith Palmer before being shot dead by armed officers.
PC Palmer and three pedestrians who were on Westminster Bridge died of their injuries.
Owen saw many other people lying injured on the pavement and in the road all around him.
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Hide Ad“I saw a police officer with an assault rifle – he shouted ‘Shots fired!’ and then ran towards Westminster,” he said.
“Combined with the fact that the car didn’t stop, it was on the pavement and I saw a policeman with a gun, I knew then it was much bigger than just an accident. It was chaos.”
The first person on the scene to help Owen was a young woman called Alice.
“She came over to make sure we were all right, she put her hand on my shoulder and said everything is going to be fine,” said Owen.
“Travis was sitting across from me clutching his arm.”
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Hide AdOwen spoke to his frantic mum Sharon by phone, assuring her he was all right. A police officer then bandaged his head wound as paramedics tended to Travis. At that point Owen had no idea where his other two friends from the party of five had gone.
“I heard somebody saying that people had gone over the bridge into the water,” he said.
“So at that point I thought my two other friends were dead.”
After around 15 minutes, two police constables escorted Owen to a nearby hotel.
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Hide AdA photographer snapped Owen as he was led him away from the bridge – picture would later be spread around the world’s media to show the impact of terror.
After being checked over by paramedics, Owen was transferred to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital where his head wound was treated.
He said: “Thankfully, tests proved that I had no internal injuries.
“The staff were incredibly upbeat, helpful and lovely caring people.
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Hide Ad“I was just trying to keep my spirits up. I wasn’t in any pain at the time. The police were guarding my room which helped me feel safe.”
After being interviewed by police, Owen was discharged from hospital before midnight.
On Thursday morning, Owen returned to Edge Hill by train and bus. There, he was reunited with his parents, younger brother Dale and grandpa Frank.
“I was over the moon to see my family,” he said.
“The staff at Edge Hill were very understanding, compassionate and helpful. They offered us counselling and support, and free food! We spoke to the vice-chancellor John Cater and I gave a statement to the counter-terrorism officer from Lancashire police.”
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Hide AdOwen then returned home to Morecambe on Thursday. He expects to stay at home for a few days to recover before returning to university.
The Lamberts have been overwhelmed by the messages and support they have received from well-wishers, which have been non-stop since Wednesday afternoon.
“The messages wishing Owen a speedy recovery from family and friends have been a huge comfort to us all,” said his mum Sharon, who works for Bay Medical Group in Morecambe.
“We also want to say a big thank you to the passers-by, the staff at the hospital, the police and everybody who looked after him.
“We are incredibly relieved that he is OK.”
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Hide AdOwen, a former Morecambe Community High and Great Wood school pupil, said he was thinking of the families of those who died and were critically injured in the terrible events of Wednesday afternoon.
“I can’t begin to imagine what they’re going through,” he said.