05july22-Helen Wilson Bataclan survivor
22 images Created 22 Sep 2022
05 July 2022. Paris, France.
At home with Helen Wilson, a survivor of the Bataclan nightclub massacre of November 13th 2015 which claimed the lives of 90 people inside the club, 130 in total with co-ordinated attacks across Paris. Helen, an American living in Paris went to see the music of American rock band Eagles of Death Metal at the Bataclan nightclub with her former British boyfriend Nick Alexander. Soon after the shooting started, a Frenchman near where they were lying on the floor taking cover started shouting obscenities at the attackers. Helen describes how 2 terrorists came over to the area near where Helen and Nick were lying on the floor. One of the attackers raised his kalashnikov and opened fire. Nick was shot in the stomach and Helen was shot twice, once in each thigh. Helen raised her hands and begged the shooter to stop, which she says he did, then he calmly walked away. Nick's injuries however proved to be fatal and he died in her arms before police could rescue them. Nick Alexander was the only British victim of the horrific attacks. Helen miraculously survived despite losing 4 pints of blood and was saved by paramedics after police stormed the building. Helen's story is one of unimaginable tragedy, of strength, courage under fire, resilience and survival. Helen still receives counselling and physical therapy to help cope with the continuing aftermath of the attack. She is an inspiration to many she talks to as she speaks to other trauma survivors and disaffected youth.
Photo Copyright ©; Charlie Varley/varleypix.com
All rights managed.
At home with Helen Wilson, a survivor of the Bataclan nightclub massacre of November 13th 2015 which claimed the lives of 90 people inside the club, 130 in total with co-ordinated attacks across Paris. Helen, an American living in Paris went to see the music of American rock band Eagles of Death Metal at the Bataclan nightclub with her former British boyfriend Nick Alexander. Soon after the shooting started, a Frenchman near where they were lying on the floor taking cover started shouting obscenities at the attackers. Helen describes how 2 terrorists came over to the area near where Helen and Nick were lying on the floor. One of the attackers raised his kalashnikov and opened fire. Nick was shot in the stomach and Helen was shot twice, once in each thigh. Helen raised her hands and begged the shooter to stop, which she says he did, then he calmly walked away. Nick's injuries however proved to be fatal and he died in her arms before police could rescue them. Nick Alexander was the only British victim of the horrific attacks. Helen miraculously survived despite losing 4 pints of blood and was saved by paramedics after police stormed the building. Helen's story is one of unimaginable tragedy, of strength, courage under fire, resilience and survival. Helen still receives counselling and physical therapy to help cope with the continuing aftermath of the attack. She is an inspiration to many she talks to as she speaks to other trauma survivors and disaffected youth.
Photo Copyright ©; Charlie Varley/varleypix.com
All rights managed.