Jersey witness of London attack: "We have to stay positive"

Monday 05 June 2017

A Jersey student has urged defiance in the face of terror after seeing a woman who had been stabbed in Saturday’s attack.

Candice Miller (24), a former Beaulieu student who now studies musical theatre, had been enjoying a drink with her boyfriend in the Old Thameside Inn when she saw a woman who had been stabbed in the neck and chest run into the pub.

“At first I didn’t see how bad her injuries were … I saw her in the corner of my eye and I heard crying. I thought she might have fallen out with her boyfriend or something. Then I saw she was holding her head up with as much tissue as she could to try and stop the blood,” Miss Miller told Express. 

Shortly afterwards, staff abruptly locked the doors and ushered panicked pubgoers, warning of an alleged terror incident. “I wanted to leg it, I did not want to get back in that pub. I thought they [the terrorists] might have been in there and it was a hostage incident. My boyfriend grabbed me and we went downstairs and crouched on the floor. They closed everything off… But in the first hour, everyone was chatting – it just felt like a pub vibe.”

Pictured: Former Jersey surf instructor Candice Miller (24) with her boyfriend, who was also in the pub at the time.

But the lights were then turned off, and the group were ordered by police to turn off their phones and hide in silence as the police attempted to locate the terrorists using their mobile phone signals.

“The worst thing was thinking, I’m not going to be able to let my mum know if I come out. I had only 2% battery. I started thinking in my head: ‘This could be really serious’.”

Hours later, the group were allowed to leave, with police leading the team – all in complete silence – around ten metres ahead.

“Policemen lined the roads we were walking down. They checked every single back alley with their rifles. We all had to be so quiet, we were literally in silence.

“We then got to the bridge. It’s so exposed on the bridge, you don’t have any idea what can happen because you’re up so high and visible. That sparked panic in a lot of people, everybody was legging it across to the other side.”

It wasn’t until the early hours of Sunday morning – around 2:30 am – when Candice reached the safety of home.

Despite the harrowing experience, which has left her feeling “less confident” going out in London, Miss Miller told Express that she, like other Londoners, is refusing to let the events shake her spirit.

“At the moment I think the actual magnitude of what’s happened is finally sinking in, but everyone’s lives are going on like normal now so it’s easy to put it behind you when you’re back and getting involved in everyday life.

“It’s something I have definitely tried to put aside. I had a sickness in my stomach, but I haven’t cried or been emotional in any way… I don’t want to not go on because I don’t think we should let [ISIS} win… We can’t let them win, especially after the Manchester concert as well. It shows that there are loads of other people out there who are good people.”

Pictured: Police on Borough High Street on Saturday night. (Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA)

This morning, Miss Miller returned to musical theatre college alongside her classmates to continue rehearsing for her end of year show – a “massive cabaret” piece called ‘Diversity’ featuring a kaleidoscope of tunes from a variety of eras. “It seems quite appropriate really.”

She’s adamant to say no to fear and carry on performing – and is now imploring others to do the same. 

“Everyone was really keen to continue. You let so many people down if you don’t come in, and performing is an outlet.

“You have to be positive. That’s the only way you can be really, otherwise you end up going into a black hole and not accomplishing anything.” 

Flags are being flown at half-mast in the Channel Islands today, as a mark of respect to the seven who lost their lives and nearly 50 who were injured. Jersey politicians have shared their condolences on social media, with Chief Minister Ian Gorst tweeting: "Shocked & saddened to see another terrorist atrocity - thoughts are with all who suffered loss from last night's attack in London."

Shocked & saddened to see another terrorist atrocity - thoughts are with all who suffered loss from last night's attack in London

— Senator Ian Gorst (@Ian_Gorst) June 4, 2017

Bailiff William Bailhache commented: "We take this opportunity to pray for those who have lost their lives and for their families, for the others who remain in excellent care in the surrounding London hospitals and also for the exemplary efforts of the responding uniformed services. The continued upheaval and disruption will echo across the UK and neighbouring Crown Dependencies this week. The sporadic nature of this most recent attack proves that acts of terror can take many forms and as is clear attacks can occur with little or no warning. We should remain vigilant and not become complacent; however this should not detract us from enjoying the freedom and environment in which we live." 

A one minute's silence will be observed on Tuesday at 11:00.