Lorraine Kelly fumes as 7/7 London bombings survivor shares NHS blunder

Daily Record

5 hours ago

Lorraine Kelly interviewed Thelma Stober, survivor of the 7/7 London bombings, during the latest instalment of her ITV show
ITV's Lorraine featured Thelma Stober, a survivor of the 7/7 London bombings, on Thursday (3 July) for a deeply moving interview.
Thelma appeared alongside presenter Lorraine Kelly to discuss Netflix's latest docuseries, Attack on London: Hunting the 7/7 Bombers, sharing candidly about her personal ordeal and the lasting effects of the atrocities.
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Thelma was travelling on the Aldgate tube during the morning of 7 July 2005, when terror struck London. Four individual suicide attackers detonated explosives across the capital, with three bombs exploding at underground stations whilst another was set off on a bus, claiming 52 lives and wounding more than 770 people.
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"I was told subsequently by the police following investigation that I was actually standing next to the bomber," Thelma disclosed, explaining that whilst asked whether she recalls that precise moment, she doesn't, as she was engrossed in reading a book.
She continued: "I was aware of people around me, but not aware at all."
Thelma remembered attempting to send a text message upon reaching Liverpool Street, but she heard sudden sounds and witnessed flashes before regaining consciousness on the railway track, reports the Express.
Throughout the interview, Thelma discussed how communities united in response, with Lorraine highlighting how the attacks had transformed London as a metropolis.
The presenter remarked: "It was so interesting, actually very heartening, Thelma, in the days, weeks and months after this, people really came together. London gets criticised for being a city where nobody talks to one another and keeps people at a distance, but I really noticed that.
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"I remember that vividly, the way that people were making eye contact. There was a care there for one another."
Thelma then shared her experience with her prosthetic limb, explaining how after an NHS error, public donations helped her acquire the correct prosthetic.
"Absolutely. I was given a limb that did not match my skin tone by the NHS," she told Lorraine. "It was the generosity of the public that money was collected by what is now the London Emergencies Trust, who came to my rescue - because although I'm a fighter, I did not have the energy at the time to fight the NHS - to give me money which was used to purchase a limb which matched my skin tone."
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Lorraine responded with shock, saying: "Oh, for goodness' sake! I've spoken to people who have come back, soldiers coming back from Afghanistan, and they've had the same thing happen back then.
"Things have changed, thanks to the likes of yourself. But, as if things aren't bad enough, you should not have to deal with that. That's ridiculous!"
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Daily Record has contacted the NHS for a comment.
In a poignant declaration, Thelma pledged her unwavering determination, asserting: "We will fight against terrorism, we will never be defeated."
She continued with heartfelt resolve: "And, for the lives of the 52 people, who, in a reckless, senseless attack, lost their lives, I will never give up. We will never give up."
Catch Lorraine on weekdays at 9am on ITV1.