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Last broadcast on Mon, 2 Nov 2009, 19:30 on BBC One (North East & Cumbria only).
Synopsis
Lisa French was on the top deck of the London bus blown up by terrorists in the 7/7 attacks. Four years on, she has been on a remarkable journey to overcome her injuries and lasting fears from the attack. It is a journey that has led her to find out more about her fellow passengers who lost their lives, and, inspired by what she discovers, Lisa resolves to make the most of each day.
Lisa, from Tyneside, travelled across the world to help other victims of bombings, and also cleared mines in the former killing fields of Cambodia. Strengthened by her experiences, she then tackles her final remaining terror - to ride on a London bus again.
In this inspiring story, Lisa meets the man who rescued her and confronts the terrorists' real weapon - fear.
Bus bomb survivor
Lisa French from Tyneside was on the top deck of the London bus blown up by terrorists in the 7/7 bomb attacks.
Before 7/7 Lisa was just like everyone else. She worked for BT and on the day of the attack she was in London for a meeting. But then chance led her to sit a few inches away from the man carrying the bomb that exploded killing 13 people.
Lisa had her front teeth blown out and has hearing loss in one ear. She also suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.
She remembers vividly what happened that day:
"July 7 started as a normal day but by 9:47 London and my world had changed forever… I have absolutely no recollection of the blast itself. I was knocked unconscious. I woke up and thought I'd fainted… It probably took me a few seconds to realise that the bus no longer had windows and a roof."
Four years on, Lisa has been on a remarkable journey to overcome her injuries and lasting fears from the attack.
After the bomb, she had feelings of guilt for the other people on the bus who died and was determined to make the most of her "second chance".
She decided to work with MAG, the Mines Advisory Group, that clears land mines around the world.
MAG started in Cockermouth, Cumbria 20 years ago and is now based in Manchester. It works in 35 countries.
In March 2009 Lisa went with a group of volunteers to build houses for land mine victims in Cambodia.
"I'm out here and I'm going to help someone else because of that experience," said Lisa at the time of her visit.
While she was there she visited a minefield with MAG and detonated two live land mines- the first time she’d come face to face with a bomb again, a powerful cathartic moment with memories of 7/7.
The exploded mine remnants reminded her of the debris from the London bus bomb attack. "It was scary, amazing, shocking… emotional," said Lisa after the detonation of the land mine.
Four years on, Lisa can now walk through mine fields but there’s one last challenge that she's going to face with Inside Out's Chris Jackson. She is going to help him confront his own fears.
With Lisa's help he takes to the skies for a sky dive and parachute leap.
"That feeling - when the door (of the plane) opens, that's what it was like to wake up on the bus," said Lisa after the jump.
After everything that has happened Lisa also has renewed optimism for the future: "I know I can get over my fears. I'm in a much better place."
The 7/7 bomb attack.
Lisa French was a passenger on the London bus that was blown up in the 7/7 bomb blast. Photo c/o Getty Images.
Lisa in Cambodia
Lisa in Cambodia.
Video - Bus bomb survivor
The remarkable story of the Tyneside woman who survived the 7/7 London bus bomb.
Credits
- Presenter
- Chris Jackson
Broadcast
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Mon 2 Nov 200919:30
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