Pictured: Polish kitchen worker who battled London Bridge killer
3 December 2019, 10:23
A man who tackled the London Bridge terror attacker in a fight that involved a 5ft narwhal tusk, a pike and a fire extinguisher, has been identified.
Lukasz Koczocik, a Polish national who was working at Fishmongers' Hall when the London Bridge attack happened on Friday has been praised for the "unbelievable heroism" of his actions.
One eyewitness reported that Mr Koczocik was cleaning glasses in the Fishmongers' Hall basement when he heard screams and rushed to help.
Initial reports suggested that Mr Koczocik seized a 5ft narwhal tusk that had been ripped from a nearby wall, but a source told The Sun newspaper that he actually picked up a pike to fight the attacker. He was then locked in "one-on-one straight combat" with the terrorist for at least a minute.
Two other men bravely stepped in to help Mr Koczocik, and it is believed that one used the narwhal tusk as a weapon, whilst the other tried to take down the attacker with a fire extinguisher.
A guy who was with us at Fishmongers Hall took a 5’ narwhale tusk from the wall and went out to confront the attacker. You can see him standing over the man (with what looks like a white pole) in the video. We were trying to help victims inside but that man’s a hero #LondonBridge
— Amy Coop (@theamycoop) November 29, 2019
Mr Koczocik, who lives in south London with his girlfriend, is thought to have been left severely injured following the attack.
Amy Coop described on Twitter how the three men leapt into action: "A guy who was with us at Fishmongers Hall took a 5’ narwhale tusk from the wall and went out to confront the attacker.
"You can see him standing over the man (with what looks like a white pole) in the video. We were trying to help victims inside but that man’s a hero."
One social media user replied: "Amazing quick thinking by that guy. It's good to see people being brave and protecting the community - doing the right thing!"
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan hailed the bravery of passers-by who helped during the attack as "breathtaking heroism".
Two former Cambridge University students, Jack Merritt, 25 and Saskia Jones, 23 died in the attack. Tributes were paid to them at vigils in Cambridge and London on Monday.
Three other people were seriously injured in the attack that Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said brought out the "worst of humankind".
