Morning:
8°c
Tube driver: I fled in terror as police shot Menezes
Paul Cheston, Courts Correspondent04.11.08
THE driver of the Tube train on which Jean Charles de Menezes was shot dead fled in terror down a tunnel, believing he was under attack from “fanatics”.
The unnamed driver's fear was described today for the first time in his own words at the inquest into the Brazilian's death.
As soon as the armed officers opened fire, the driver said he jumped off the platform at Stockwell station and ran across live tracks.
He was convinced that the police were terrorists opening fire on passengers. Amid the thunder of passing trains, he thrust his back against the tunnel wall fearing he would be shot as well.
In a statement read in court, he said: “I got to the Stockwell Tube station just before 10am. When I got there the light was red. This was unusual.
“I then heard people screaming and I looked at the monitor at the front of the train.
“I heard gunshots. There were about 15 of them. I saw one of the men with a large gun shooting and I thought they were fanatics and they were shooting at people on the carriage. I have [to] run into the dark tunnel.”
The driver said he was scared as the tracks were live and trains were approaching.
He went on: “I stood there with my back against the wall for about 20 seconds. Someone flashed a light into the tunnel. I said please do not shoot, I am the driver'.”
Mr de Menezes was shot by police at point-blank range in July 2005, the day after the failed 21/7 suicide bomb attacks on the London transport network.
Police believed the electrician, who had been followed from his home, was failed bomber Hussain Osman.
A marksman codenamed C12 has told the hearing he shouted “armed police” but opened fire because he had no alternative when Mr de Menezes came towards him. But the inquest has also heard from witnesses who maintain that the victim was sitting still and police officers were “out of control”.
Anna Dunwoodie, who was sitting two seats to the left of Mr de Menezes, said yesterday that the 27-year-old Brazilian closed his eyes and appeared calm as a gun was held to his head. But she described scenes of panic among police, insisting she was “very, very clear” that officers did not shout any warnings before shooting him dead.
The inquest at the Oval cricket ground continues.
