One of the seven victims of the attack on London Bridge was a 28-year-old nurse who died as she ran toward the chaos in an effort to help others.
Australian Kirsty Boden lived in England and worked at Guy’s Hospital, near London Bridge. She died in Saturday’s attack that saw a van driven into crowds on the sidewalks of London Bridge before three men got out of the vehicle and went on a stabbing spree in Borough Market.
FULL COVERAGE: London Bridge attack
Boden’s family issued a statement on Tuesday, which says she was attempting to help the injured when she was killed.
“As she ran towards danger, in an effort to help people on the bridge, Kirsty sadly lost her life.”
Boden, who the statement said was “loved and adored” by her family, friends, and boyfriend, is described as outgoing and kind.
“Helping people was what she loved to do in her job as a nurse and in her daily life.”
The family said her brave actions Saturday “demonstrate how selfless, caring and heroic she was, not only on that night, but throughout all of her life.”
A statement from the hospital where Boden worked expressed shock at the loss of their “dear friend and colleague.”
“Kirsty was an outstanding nurse and a hugely valued member of the staff team in Theatres Recovery, described by her colleagues as ‘one in a million’ who always went the extra mile for the patients in her care,” said Dame Eileen Sills, chief nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, in the statement.
“I cannot put into words how sad I am that we have lost one of our own.”
Police have not revealed details about Boden’s death. The three attackers, who were wearing fake suicide vests, were shot dead by responding police.
A Canadian woman killed in the attack was the first of the victims to be named. Christine Archibald, 30, originally from Castlegar, B.C., was fatally struck on London Bridge; she died in her fiance’s arms.
READ MORE: London terror attack: friends, family remember Canadian victim Christine Archibald
Archibald was a social worker who just moved to Europe to be with her fiance, Tyler Ferguson. Archibald, who attended Mount Royal University in Calgary, is remembered for her work with the homeless, a field in which she found her calling.
“She had room in her heart for everyone and believed strongly that every person was to be valued and respected,” read a statement from Archibald’s family.
“Volunteer your time and labour or donate to a homeless shelter,” the statement said. “Tell them Chrissy sent you.”
Since her death, people inspired by Archibald have been sharing online their acts of kindness, using the hashtag #ChrissySentMe.