July 7 bombing hero breaks his silence after MBE honour
An unsung hero who dived into a bombed underground carriage to rescue survivors of the July 7 bomb attacks has spoken publicly for the first time about the carnage after being made an MBE in today’s New Year Honours.
Stephen Hucklesby, from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, is one of six people recognised for their service to others during the blasts in July 2005 that killed 52 commuters.
The 46-year-old first aider was honoured for his efforts treating victims of the London Underground bomb that devastated a tube train shortly after leaving the Edgware Road station.
Mr Hucklesby, married with children aged 14 and 12, was travelling on a train in the opposite direction to the one almost blown apart by the explosion.
He said: “Our coach stopped alongside after the blast and I went with three others to the bombed coach to provide some help to those who were injured. The blast was enormous and it was a scene of carnage and devastation inside.
“My work background has taken me to a number of conflicts while involved in international relief in places like Mozambique, Tanzania and Afghanistan, but I never expected to see that sort of thing on the London Underground on the way to work.
“I jumped into the bombed carriage because I had done a first aid course but nothing prepares you for that sort of carnage.”
Mr Hucklesby, still emotional as he described the scenes, added: “It was obvious people had been killed in the blast carriage. I had to work out who needed attention – who was alive and who wasn’t.
“People at the front of the carriage were injured and I made my way down there.
