By Caroline Gammell
Press Association Newsfile
Copyright 2007 The Press Association Limited
All Rights Reserved
LONDON — The firefighter who took on one of the July 21 suicide bombers “with no thought for his own safety” has been honoured for his bravery.
Angus Campbell was in the same London Underground carriage as Ramzi Mohammed when he tried to detonate his flour and hydrogen peroxide rucksack bomb two weeks after July 7.
The terrorist turned his back towards mother-of-one Nadia Baro and her small baby before detonating the bomb, which failed to go off.
As passengers fled, Mr Campbell helped them escape before returning to challenge the bomber, not knowing if the device might still explode.
His heroic actions were captured on CCTV footage and seen around the world.
Last night he received a top award for his courage - the Commissioner’s Certificate of Commendation.
London Fire Commissioner Sir Ken Knight said: “Angus displayed exceptional bravery and dedication at a potentially catastrophic incident.
“He quickly identified the seriousness of the situation and with no thought for his own safety made every effort to help other passengers whilst trying to calm down the apparent bomber.
“Angus is a credit to London Fire Brigade.”
Giving evidence in the trial against Mohammed and his three fellow bombers earlier this year, 43-year-old Mr Campbell said he felt it was his duty to help Ms Baro.
The child’s pushchair had got trapped in the carriage as passengers tried to escape.
“I wanted to run away but I couldn’t leave her,” he said. “She was a woman with a small child.”
Returning to face Mohammed, he asked: “What have you done? What have you done?” before demanding to know what was oozing from the rucksack on the floor.
When the bomber told him it was bread, the firefighter dismissed the claim: “It was nonsensical, it didn’t make sense to me.”
Mr Campbell then shouted - “swearing vociferously” - at the terrorist: “You are scaring us, I want to help you, I can help you, but I want you to lie down.”
He then tried to stop Mohammed as he dashed out of the open doors of the carriage and fled: “He turned right and I can remember him looking at me as he ran past me.”
After the trial Ms Baro paid tribute to Mr Campbell, describing him as “an absolute hero.”