A Sunday Express journalist stabbed in the neck after confronting three terrorists in Saturday’s attack on London Bridge has given his account of the ordeal.
Ho, whose injuries resulted in him being admitted to intensive care, is the paper’s business editor and is understood to be a martial arts expert.
In a statement today, issued as police have revealed the identities of the three terrorists, he said: “I would like to extend my wishes to everyone who has been affected, especially to the family and friends over those still missing.
“I would like to clarify some of the events of Saturday night. I was involved in two separate incidents on Saturday night.
“I had just left The Sheaf pub and saw two people attacking the bouncer at the Southwark Tavern. He was on his own and I held off the unarmed attackers until the police arrived. At that point I thought ‘job done, now for beer and food’.
“I went the five doors down the street to Black & Blue [restuarant].
“Within two minutes of my leaving the Southwark Tavern and posting ‘not on my watch’ on Facebook, the terrorist attackers arrived at the restaurant.
“Most of my friends and the staff hid under tables but my one of my friends was frozen behind me. I knew I had to face the attackers down, they were armed and I had the best chance of delaying them until the police arrived or they’d get everyone.
“I had to shield my friends and the people there. Then I noticed they had what looked like suicide vests on. I tried to slow them, they attacked. It happened so quickly.
“The bastard in the Arsenal shirt came at me first. I think I got a hit in on one of them, but either he or his accomplice got me with a shot to the throat.
“They got my friend who was behind me with a minor stab wound in the face and hands and ran off. I picked up my friend and bundled him into the store room.
“I called the police and within moments they arrived. I gave the police descriptions of the three and we were evacuated.”
He added: “Also, I want to make it clear that many of my friends are Muslim. The people who attacked me were not representative of Islam. I stand in solidarity with my Muslim brothers and sisters.”
Ho said he had been told by doctors that he will make a full recovery.
Ho tweeted yesterday morning: “Thank you every one for the best wishes. I got out of surgery yesterday and am on the mend.”
After the attack, Sunday Express editor Martin Townsend said: “Geoff Ho is an absolutely first class reporter and a fine and decent man and our thoughts are with him and his family at this time.
“We are all hoping and praying for a speedy recovery.”
The Express offices on Lower Thames Street are about five minutes walk from London Bridge where the terror attack took place.
A van was deliberately driven into pedestrians on London Bridge and then three men with knives attacked people in the area of nearby Borough Market.
Seven people were killed, whose identities are beginning to be released to the media, and dozens more injured.
The terrorists have today been named as Khuram Butt, Youssef Zaghba and Rachid Redouane.
A fundraising page for Ho has been set up, with donations going towards the British Red Cross or London Air ambulance.
The Metropolitan Police has opened a casualty bureau for anyone concerned about friends or relatives who may be affected on 0800 096 1233 and 020 7158 0197.
Picture: Facebook.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
