July 7th 2024.
Jenni was still a trainee when she received a call to go to the scene of one of the bombings that shook London 19 years ago today. She was a former Metropolitan police sergeant who was among the first responders to the chaos and destruction caused by the 7/7 bombings. Jenni, who was only a trainee detective at the time, was ordered to Edgware Road where one of the four bombs had gone off in the Underground and bus system.
The death toll was staggering – 52 people had lost their lives and over 700 were injured. Among the casualties were six people who were killed in the Edgware Road station explosion. But when Jenni and her team arrived at the scene, they initially thought it was just an electrical fault. However, it soon became clear that a bomb had been detonated, with a second one expected to go off.
Jenni recounts the moment when they received the news about the second bomb, saying, "A crackle came through our radios that another bomb was expected to go off, and that was when I truly realized my life was in danger." Despite the fear and danger, Jenni knew that as a police officer, she had a duty to the public and had to remain strong. She adds, "You can't let fear wash over you – you have to be there for the public and let your sense of duty take over."
Jenni and her team were stationed outside the station, where they helped the walking wounded and those in shock to safety. The images of that day are still vivid in her mind, like the scene at Edgware Road tube station after the bomb explosion. Survivors have also shared their harrowing experiences and the impact it had on their lives. One survivor, George Psaradakis, who was driving the bus at the time, recalls the horror of what he saw but also the acts of kindness and compassion he witnessed from strangers.
Jenni later took part in the raid on the homes of the suspects, who were identified as Mohammad Sidique Khan, Shehzad Tanweer, Germaine Lindsay, and Hasib Hussain. Despite the fear and trauma she experienced, Jenni says that seeing the community come together and support each other is what truly changed her life. She says, "I realized that day that every single person is nice. Everyone was coming together and opening their arms and homes to complete strangers, regardless of their background or status."
Jenni went on to serve another 14 years in the force, eventually becoming a detective sergeant in the Serious Violence Unit. But the memories of that fateful day have stayed with her and have shaped her career and life. She says, "It made me realize how precious everything is. You never know when it is your last day." The 7/7 bombings claimed the lives of 52 people, each with their own unique story and loved ones left behind. Jenni shares the names and professions of each victim, highlighting the devastating impact of this tragic event.
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