Berlin attack: Londoner tells of miracle escape from Berlin Christmas market massacre

Truck horror: Matthew Shepherd and his girlfriend Lauren Emsden
Facebook

A Londoner told how he and his girlfriend had a miraculous escape in the Berlin Christmas market massacre.

Matthew Shepherd, originally from Wembley, north London, and his girlfriend Lauren Emsden were hit by the truck driven by the mass killer.

He said on Facebook shortly after 9pm on Monday: “Hate posting something like this but just want to let everyone know that me and Lauren Emsden were hit by the truck in Berlin tonight.

“So lucky to say we are in one piece and are just being treated for shock and bruises. Thoughts and prayers out to everyone else who has been affected.”

The couple are believed to have been treated in hospital and are now thought to be back in the UK after the attack in which 12 people died.

The truck which was hijacked and driven into the market
Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters

Ms Emsden is a veterinary student at the Royal Veterinary College in London.

The couple are listed on Facebook that they have been in a relationship since 2014. Mr Shepherd is believed to now live in Meldreth, south Cambridgeshire, but to come from Wembley.

Gary Emsden, believed to be a family member, wrote on his Facebook page: “Lauren and Matt had a very close call. somebody is looking out for them. thank you!”

Matthew Shepherd states on his Twitter account he is an economics graduate working in marketing.

12 people were killed in the attack
Markus Schreiber/AP

A Foreign office spokesman said: “We are in close contact with the German authorities following a suspected terrorist attack in Berlin earlier this week.

“Earlier today, German officials informed us that two British nationals had received medical attention for shock and minor injuries and were discharged a short time later.

“We stand ready to provide assistance to any more British Nationals caught up in the attack. We continue to advise any British Nationals in the area to remain vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities.”

Officials at the Foreign Office are understood to have spoken to both Mr Shepherd and Ms Emsden’s families to offer support.

It comes as police were searching for the Christmas market killer after finding DNA and an identity document.

Officers are said to be hunting a radicalised Tunisian man in his 20s.

Pictured: the man wanted over the Berlin terror attack

He was named as Anis A and described as “highly dangerous” and a member of a “large” Islamic organisation.

He was apparently previously arrested for GBH but not charged because he went underground. The man is also believed to use false names.

The German newspaper Bild claimed he is an Islamist and part of a wider network, who was already on the radar of the authorities.

Within hours of the atrocity Islamic State claimed responsibility. They said the perpetrator was “a soldier of the Islamic State” who “carried out the attack in response to calls for targeting citizens of the Crusader coalition”.

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