Queen praises July 7 heroes

The Queen has spoken of the bravery of people who helped those in the aftermath of the July 7 bombings.

At a special awards ceremony held today at Buckingham Palace, police, transport, health and emergency workers were commended for their actions.

In all around 20 people were awarded accolades for their efforts to help those caught up the four suicide bomb blasts that killed 52 people.

Presenting the awards the Queen told the workers that they had displayed "outstanding bravery" and commended their efforts to save lives.

Speaking after today's ceremony, Russell Square Station Supervisor David Boyce, 25, described how he had rushed down the track following the Piccadilly Line bombing not thinking of his own safety and more concerned about what he would find in the smoke-filled tunnel.

When he reached the train, he said it was an "horrific" sight. "There were bodies lying all over the place and limbs missing," said Mr Boyce, who used his clothes to bandage wounds and to create makeshift tourniquets.

British Transport Police Constable Deborah Russell-Fenwick, 44, who had been present at the Tavistock Square bus attack, said: It's a bit bittersweet being here today. I wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for all those people who died. If I could wave a magic wand not to be standing here, I would."

In a separate ceremony today around 200 police officers and staff from the Metropolitan Police received Commissioner's Commendations in Hendon north London.

Many of those who had helped were off-duty at the time the attacks occurred.

(SP)