Peter Rhodes’ – remembering 7/7
Peter Rhodes – Deputy Director of Ambulance Operations, responded to Tavistock Square
I had only been qualified as a paramedic for six months on 7 July 2005. I was sent to a bus explosion at Tavistock Square. I didn’t know that it was linked to what was happening on the underground because then we were told it was power surges.
When I saw the bus with its roof blown off I knew this wasn’t an accident. By the time I arrived, a lot of the walking wounded had already been helped. Doctors from the British Medical Association Building on the square had moved a lot of the patients and were treating them. I could also see that there was another London Ambulance Service car there. I could also see people inside the bus and they were being treated.
But it was a very upsetting scene – there were a lot of wounded people and bodies had been thrown from the bus. Seeing the devastation, it was clear what I needed to do. The impact of the blast was so immense that I was afraid people might have been thrown and not immediately found.
So I started walking round the square looking for people. I was reporting back what I was finding and sadly there were people who could be saved. It was upsetting but I just wanted to make sure the area had been thoroughly searched – I didn’t want there to be someone waiting to be rescued. I wanted to make sure everyone had a chance.
I was also checking buildings as some of the injured had gone inside. I provided immediate aid to those that had wounds I could treat and I was calling back to control and asking them to send more ambulances. I could see the doctors were doing a good job of taking care of the people in front of them and I just felt responsible for looking at the bigger picture.
It was scary. Police were telling us that there was another device on the bus and telling us to move away. At that time we had no idea that the bomber had killed himself in the blast so I remember asking myself if the perpetrator could still be in the square. It was a very confusing scene.
While I was checking the square, I just felt a strong sense of responsibility to keep looking. But once we knew everyone had been found and I was stood down, I realised I was shaking. I couldn’t get back into the my car – I think it was because the last time I had got in the car to drive somewhere it had been to this horrific scene and my body just wouldn’t let me get in the car again. Someone had to drive me to the debrief.
I think I have deliberately blocked out whatever I was feeling in the days and weeks after – probably a way to cope. But it always stays with you.
That was the first Major Incident I had been to and there has been nothing like it since but as soon as I arrived, I knew what I had to do.
I think that day confirmed that this was the job for me. I went on to become an operational manager because I realised how I’m able to see the bigger picture. In all that chaos, I was able to focus on my task and bring order to what I was doing. I was Gold Commander for the London Bridge terror attack and I am sure 7/7 shaped my way of thinking and my response.
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