Warwickshire couple caught up in New York terror attack - The Rugby Observer

Warwickshire couple caught up in New York terror attack

Rugby Editorial 11th Dec, 2017 Updated: 11th Dec, 2017   0

A HOLIDAY to New York celebrating the end of cancer treatment took a turn for the worse for a Warwick couple after they ended up just metres from a terrorist attack.

Trisha Shaw, who volunteers for Pawprints Dog Rescue in Rugby, was due to fly to America with husband Barry in March.

But after discovering she had cancer they had to postpone the break while she underwent surgery and treatment – which she has now completed.

The pair jetted off on the much-delayed anticipated trip earlier this week, but the dream break took a turn from the worse when a terrorist let off a bomb in an underpass at the Port Authority terminal near Times Square – just metres from the The Hilton Times Square Hotel where the couple are staying.




While they did not hear the explosion, they rushed to the window of their room on 42nd Street when they heard sirens go screaming past.

Mum-of-three Trisha told the Observer: “I was up but didn’t hear anything until the sirens started flooding the street below. There were police parked the whole way up 42nd street.


“There are police, fire and ambulance galore here.”

Emergency services say four people were injured in the blast at the world’s busiest bus terminal on Monday morning. One of them was the suspect bomber, 27-year-old male Akayed Ullah.

He was taken into custody, city officials said. Police have confirmed he detonated what is believed to be a a homemade explosive.

New York mayor Bill DeBlasio has urged New Yorkers and visitors to not let the terrorists win, and to continue with their day.

Trisha – who spends much of her free time working to reunite lost dogs with their owners – said she will follow the mayor’s advice and the pair plan to spend the day away from the hotel and visiting the Statue of Liberty.

She said: “The only thing that’s changed is that there are security guards and a police officer on the doors to the street, other than that everyone appears to be going about their business as usual.”

Mayor DeBlasio said: “This was an attempted terrorist attack and thank god he did not achieve his goals. The only injuries were minor.

“The choice of New York shows how many faiths and backgrounds work and they want to undermine that.

“New York is blessed with the finest law enforcement in the world. This is the most resilient place on earth we have proved it time and time again, the terrorists will not win.”

Since 9/11 several terror attacks have rocked the city. The most recent before the subway attack was on October 31 when a motorist drove down a lower Manhattan bike path, killing eight people and wounding a dozen more before crashing into a school bus.

Printing

We can provide all of your printing needs at competitive rates.

Advertising

Advertise with the Rugby Observer to reach your audience

Business Directory

From plumbers, to restaurants, we can provide you with all the info you need.

Subscribe

Receive a weekly update to your inbox by signing up to our weekly newsletter.