Gill Hicks visits London bombings station

Ten years after losing her legs in the 2005 London bombings, Australian Gill Hicks has laid flowers at the "special" station where rescuers saved her life.

7/7 survivor Gill Hicks hugs PC Andy Maxwell, who came to her aid when she was injured at Kings Cross Station in London nearly 10 years ago

7/7 survivor Gill Hicks hugs PC Andy Maxwell, who came to her aid when she was injured at Kings Cross Station in London nearly 10 years ago Source: AAP

Australian Gill Hicks has laid flowers at the London Underground station where rescuers rushed to save her life after she lost her legs to a terrorist's bomb.

As the British capital marked the 10th anniversary of the July 7, 2005 bombings, Ms Hicks on Tuesday walked on her prosthetic limbs into Russell Square station to pay tribute to the 52 innocent people who died that day.

The 46-year-old, who has become a tireless campaigner against violent extremism, said the anniversary was a day of deep and mixed emotions.

"I'm feeling a lot of grief for those who didn't come out alive and feeling very fortunate that I survived," she told AAP outside the bustling station.

Extra police were stationed there on Tuesday, exactly a decade after bombs ripped through three Underground trains and a double-decker bus in central London.

Ms Hicks, who now lives in Adelaide, said she always returns to the station when she visits London.

"My spiritual connection to this place is very, very strong," she said.

"It's a lovely station. It's where my life was saved, so I can't hold any negative sense towards it.

"Everyone did so much for me that day and that happened here. It's a special place."

Ms Hicks, who nearly died in the bombings, said she was living proof of the brilliance of humanity in which a whole team of rescuers and hospital workers never gave up on her and others who survived what has become known as 7/7.

On Monday, Ms Hicks reconnected with one of her rescuers, tearfully hugging Police Constable Andy Maxwell who helped stretcher her out from the bombed train to an ambulance.

"These people are like family to me, that's how special they are," she said of her rescuers.

On Tuesday, Ms Hicks was also to attend a 7/7 memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral and another service at the Hyde Park memorial to those who died.


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Source: AAP



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