‘We did our best not to burst into tears’: Malcolm Turnbull recalls emotional meeting with police officers who tried to save Australian nanny killed in London terror attacks
- Turnbull admitted he almost ‘burst into tears’ reflecting on London terror attack
- Mr Turnbull met with London police officers who tried to save a young Australian
- ‘The three of us did our best not to burst into tears,’ Mr Turnbull said on Monday
- British officers tried to save the life of young Brisbane nanny Sara Zelenak, 21
- Ms Zelenak was one of two Australians killed in the London attack on June 3
Malcolm Turnbull has admitted he almost ‘burst into tears’ when he met police officers who tried to save an Australian nanny killed in the London terror attack.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and British Prime Minister Theresa May spoke with London police officers on Monday, who recounted the moment they tried to save the life of young Australian woman Sara Zelenak, 21.
Ms Zelenak, from Brisbane, was one of eight people killed by knife-wielding assailants who executed people at random during a frenzied attack in London on June 3.
Ms Zelenak (pictured), from Brisbane, was one of eight people killed by knife-wielding assailants who executed people at random during a frenzied attack in London on June 3
‘The three of us did our best not to burst into tears,’ Mr Turnbull said of his visit to the scene at the Borough Markets.
‘They were very brave men, very brave men and women and I just want to thank them on behalf of all Australians.
‘It was a very moving visit… and I want to say how much we admire the outstanding response of your police arriving on the scene so quickly, dealing with the terrorists so effectively and decisively. They ran towards the danger while others were fleeing it.’
Mr Turnbull said Australia and Britain forged a close bond, and vowed the two countries would continue to work together to fight terrorism.
Members of the emergency services attend to victims of a terror attack on London Bridge in central London on June 3
Police officers and members of the emergency services attend to a person injured in an apparent terror attack on London Bridge in central London on June 3
Mr Turnbull said Australia and Britain forged a close bond, and vowed the two countries would continue to work closely to fight terrorism (Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (left) is seen speaking to the British Prime Minister Theresa May during the family photo during the G20 Summit in Hamburg on Friday)
Theresa May and Malcolm Turnbull walk through Borough market in London on Monday where the June 3 terror attack happened
‘We say to these killers, to these terrorists that seek to change the way we live, we will not be cowed, we won’t change the way we live, we won’t stop going out at night, we won’t stop enjoying ourselves. We will defy you and defeat you,’ he said.
Mr Turnbull and his UK counterpart vowed to deepen ties on security and trade.
Mr Turnbull committed to a free trade agreement with Britain once it separated from the European Union.
He also vowed to continue a strong investment relationship with the UK once it left the EU.
‘We say to these killers, to these terrorists that seek to change the way we live, we will not be cowed, we won’t change the way we live, we won’t stop going out at night, we won’t stop enjoying ourselves. We will defy you and defeat you,’ Mr Turnbull said (pictured with British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday)