Hero 7/7 medic returns to St Paul’s for 20th anniversary

A London Ambulance Service medic who risked her life to save passengers in the 7/7 London bombings will return to St Paul’s Cathedral today as a candle bearer at a special service marking the 20th anniversary of the suicide attacks.

Tracy Russell was an Emergency Medical Technician when she and her crewmate Liam were dispatched to Russell Square Underground Station on the morning of 7 July 2005, close to the site of the deadliest of four coordinated suicide bombings across London’s transport network.

The pair entered the tunnel and spent over three hours inside the smoke-filled carriages, treating the injured and helping evacuate survivors—refusing to leave even when warned of a potential secondary device.

“I was scared, but we couldn’t leave,” Tracy said. “There was no question of it when we had patients who needed us.”

Among those she helped was Gill Hicks, a young Australian woman who lost both legs in the blast. The two later formed a close friendship that continues to this day.

“It was amazing to meet her,” said Tracy. “Even our daughters are friends. I sometimes can’t believe that something so positive could have come out of that terror attack.”

Tracy recalls the surreal atmosphere of the tunnel, where passengers were injured but calm, and the air was thick with soot. After the final patient was carried out, she emerged from Russell Square into eerie silence, describing it as “like an apocalypse.”

Despite the trauma, she went back to work the next day—and married her partner just over a week later.

Now, two decades on, she will take part in the commemorative service at St Paul’s Cathedral as one of four candle bearers.

“I feel so honoured. I’m proud of what we did that day,” she said. “It was a terrible event, but I’m glad I was there to help.”

London Ambulance Service has set up a dedicated page to commemorate 7 July 2005 where you can find more stories from its first responders.

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