Parents accept royal honour for ‘skateboard hero’ who fought terrorists

The father of a hero honoured for his actions at the London Bridge terror attack has said he is “sorry” that his son cannot collect the medal himself.

Ignacio Echeverria, who was killed as he tried to help a woman being attacked, was among those to receive honours at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.

He was posthumously awarded The George Medal for “confronting armed terrorists in order to protect others at London Bridge”.

Mr Echeverria, a 39-year-old banker, was among eight people killed and nearly 50 injured as terrorists mowed people down with a car and went on a stabbing rampage before they were shot dead by police on June 3 2017.

He became known in the media as a ‘skateboard hero’ as he tried to fight off the attackers using his skateboard.

Joaquin Echeverria Alonso, who received the honour on behalf of his son, said the Queen asked him about his bravery on the night of the attack – particularly that he had tried to use his skateboard to fight off the terrorists.

Through a translator Mr Alonso, who had flown to London from Madrid, said the day was a “special moment but very emotional” for him and his wife Maria Miralles De Imperial Hornedo.

He said: “To recognise the courage of my son, he will be remembered. He was a generous man and he helped when it was necessary.”