ITN
Courage of 7/7 survivor
Courage of 7/7 survivor
Susan Harrison suffered terrible injuries in the bomb blast between King's Cross and Russell Square tube stations on July 7, 2005. One year on, the Operating Department practitioner for London's famous Great Ormond Street Hospital is dedicating all her efforts to raise money for healthcare in countries where she believes she wouldn't have survived such injuries. She said: 'I knew what had happened immediately. There was a lot of smoke down there and I thought there may be a fire as a result, but there wasn't. 'I tried to get up to help others, but I couldn't get up, and I looked down at my legs and knew I had lost one. So I put a tourniquet on it. 'It was hot and dark in the tube, and I was telling people to relax, try and stay calm and wait for help. I focused on deep breathing. I knew help would come.' At the age of 29, Susan lost her left leg at the thigh, her good leg had extensive injuries and her Achilles tendon was exposed. Additionally, both of her eardrums were perforated, and she lost 50 per cent hearing in one ear and has constant tinnitus. Susan spent four-and-a-half weeks at University College Hospital, London and had post-operative care at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital at Stanmore, going there three times a week, visiting the physiotherapist and prosthetist. Her injuries have had a massive impact on so many parts of her life including her work at Great Ormond Street. Yet she does not feel bitter or angry - just lucky. Lucky she says that the healthcare she received in the aftermath saved her life. Before the 7/7 attacks, Susan was in training to do Oxfam's 100km Trailwalker challenge in 30 hours. She now plans to complete the walk later this month. Learn more about Susan's fundraising bid by clicking [ here http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_you_can_do/campaign/he/susan_georgia.htm ].
ITN | July 3, 2006
