First victim of London Bridge terror attack named as Canadian Christine Archibald

The first victim of the London Bridge terror attack is a Canadian woman who died in her “broken” fiance’s arms, it has emerged.

Christine Archibald, from Castlegar in British Columbia, worked in a homeless shelter until she moved to Europe to be with her fiance, Tyler Ferguson.

“He is broken into a million pieces,” Ferguson’s sister told Canada’s CBC News in a Facebook Messenger conversation. “He held her and watched her die in his arms.”

Her identity was revealed as the Isis terror group claimed responsibility for the atrocity which killed seven people on Saturday night’s brutal rampage in south London and left 21 fighting for their lives.

The terrorists brought carnage to the streets, mowing down pedestrians with a van on London Bridge before stabbing a police officer and revellers around Borough Market with 12-inch knives.

Ms Archibald’s family said in a statement: “We grieve the loss of our beautiful, loving daughter and sister. She had room in her heart for everyone and believed strongly that every person was to be valued and respected.

“She would have had no understanding of the callous cruelty that caused her death.”

Ferguson’s brother, Mar, added: “They were very madly in love and had quite the plans for the future. [It’s] obviously very, very devastating for him. The love of his life has just been ripped away from him.”

Justin Trudeau, the Canadian Prime Minister, said: “Canada strongly condemns the senseless attack that took place last night in London, United Kingdom, which killed and injured many innocent people. I am heartbroken that a Canadian is among those killed.”

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian confirmed one French national has died, a further seven French citizens were in hospital, four of them with serious injuries, and one French national was still missing.

Eyewitnesses accounts have claimed that one of the attackers shouted “this is for Allah” as he knifed a man near a pub.

The head of the SITE intelligence group says the terror group claimed its fighters carried out the attack.

Forty-eight people are being treated in hospital – many with “life-threatening” injuries, according to Prime Minister Theresa May.

More stories from the horrific night’s events have also started to emerge.

Candice Hedge, an Australian woman is one of two Australians injured.

The Courier Mail newspaper reported that she was stabbed in the neck while eating dinner with her boyfriend after finishing a shift at Elliot’s restaurant in London Bridge.

The paper reported that the 31-year-old had her throat slashed after a man grabbed her from behind.

She reportedly wrote on Facebook: “Hey everyone, just so you know im doing ok. Bit of pain but I will survive. Thanks for your thoughts and well wishes. Love to all.”

Terrified – dozens of innocent victims found themselves caught up in the attack (Picture: Getty)

MORE ON THE LONDON BRIDGE TERROR ATTACK:

Kind-hearted strangers open homes to those caught up in attack
Theresa May says general election WILL go ahead
Dramatic video shows police storming London Bridge bar minutes after attack
Eyewitnesses describe attackers shouting ‘This is for Allah’ before knife frenzy

A 32-year-old man was reportedly left in a coma after being slashed in the face by one of the attackers.

Oliver Dowling’s sister revealed on Facebook that her brother, from Christchurch, New Zealand, was stabbed in the the face, neck and stomach but was recovering in hospital after a four-hour long surgery.

His girlfriend Marie Bondeville was also reportedly being treated in hospital.

Journalist Geoff Ho, a business editor with the Sunday Express, was left in intensive care after being stabbed in the throat when he tried to help a wounded bouncer.

He wrote on Facebook: “Don’t know whether it was stupid or noble to jump in and break up the fight outside the Southwark Tavern, but two a***s trying to do over the lone bouncer on the door isn’t happening on my watch.”

Many anxious relatives faced desperate searches for loved ones who may have been caught up in the atrocity.

Kezi Alam wrote on Facebook on Saturday night: “My niece Asya Mustafa was on route home to london bridge and we haven’t heard from her.”

She later posted another update at 4am saying Asya, whose route home was through Borough Market, was due to return home at the time of the attack but her phone had been off since it happened.

Victims of the attack included a British Transport Police (BTP) officer who was stabbed in the face as he responded to the attack at London Bridge.

The officer, who was less than two years into his job, was one of the first on the scene after he responded to calls for help from the public and took on the knifemen armed only with his baton.

BTP chief constable Paul Crowther, who visited the officer in hospital where he is in a stable condition after suffering face, head and leg injuries, said he showed “enormous courage in the face of danger”.

He said: “Although he is seriously unwell, he was able to recount how he faced the attackers armed only with his baton, outside London Bridge station. For an officer who only joined us less than two years ago, the bravery he showed was outstanding and makes me extremely proud.”

An off-duty Metropolitan Police officer was also seriously injured during the London Bridge attack, Scotland Yard said.

Metropolitan Police Federation chairman Ken Marsh said: “I can confirm that sadly some of our colleagues were among the injured in the attack last night. I join all UK police colleagues in wishing them a swift recovery.

The Metropolitan Police has set up a hotline for relatives concerned about loved ones in the area and said people can contact its Casualty Bureau which is open on 0800 0961 233.