Friend tried to save Briton murdered in Paris attacks as killers lurked 'in the shadows'

A FRIEND of a Briton who died in the Paris concert hall massacre has revealed how she tried to save his life.

 

Nick Alexander, from Colchester, Essex, was working at the Bataclan theatre where Islamic State gunmen slaughtered up to 100 fans before blowing themselves up after a series of co-ordinated attacks across the city.

Nick was shot in front of his friend Helen Wilson, an American expat, who herself was shot in both thighs.

Speaking from her hospital bed, she told how she desperately tried to resuscitate Nick while the gunmen lurked “in the shadows”.

She tried mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and held him in her arms as he slipped away.

Helen, 49, originally from New Orleans, also told how she witnessed the gunmen deliberately targeting people in wheelchairs.

It was about 9.45pm when the first shots were fired, competing for noise with the rock music being played by Californian band Eagles Of Death Metal.

 



Lawyer, Valentin Ribet, a victim of the attacks



She said: “We heard a couple of noises outside and people started running into the club. We didn’t know what was going on.

“Then maybe five, six guys came in and just started shooting people. It was mayhem.

“When anyone started running they would shoot them down. So we got on the floor. I was afraid whenever I heard a step behind me. They shot at everybody.”

She added: “They were just sort of in the shadows and would shoot if anyone said anything.

 

Then maybe five, six guys came in and just started shooting people. It was mayhem

Helen Wilson, witness

“Then Nick couldn’t breathe any more and I held him in my arms and told him I loved him. He was the love of my life.”

In a statement, Nick’s family said: “It is with huge sorrow that we can confirm that our beloved Nick lost his life at the Bataclan last night.

“Nick was not just our brother, son and uncle, he was everyone’s best friend – generous, funny and fiercely loyal.

“Nick died doing the job he loved and we take great comfort in knowing how much he was cherished by his friends around the world.”

Mr Alexander, 35, had been working at the Bataclan selling merchandise for the band.

His girlfriend Polina Buckley had earlier desperately begged for news online about his fate.

Another of Nick’s friends Katie Pielak posted an emotional tribute to him: “You were the kindest, most sincere and selfless person I have ever met. You were a truly beautiful soul.”

Passengers arriving at London’s St Pancras rail station from Paris last night broke down in tears as they hugged loved ones.

 



Footballer Lassana Diarra is in mourning



One woman, who did not want to be named, sobbed as she described how her friend was killed. She said: “My friend died. She got shot in the head in a restaurant. She was 23 and her name was Justine. It’s just a nightmare.”

Football star Lassana Diarra, the France midfielder, has revealed that his cousin Asta Diakite was killed.

 



Marie and Mathias are missing and their friends and family are looking for them



Former Chelsea player Diarra, who now plays for Marseilles, said yesterday in a statement on Twitter: “She was like a big sister to me.” At least 129 people were killed, including an American, two Belgians, two Romanians and a Swede. The Foreign Office has fielded more than 400 calls from concerned relatives. A Government source said:

“The picture is still unclear. We know of one death already. We fear there may be a handful of British fatalities and about the same number are being treated for their injuries in hospital.”

Celebrities were last night taking to social media to express their solidarity with Parisians and those killed and injured.

 

Also missing is Lola Salines

Desperate friends and relatives also left messages asking for news of missing loved ones, including a woman called Lola Salines and a couple whose names were only given as Marie and Mathias.

Former Manchester United football star Cristiano Ronaldo tweeted: “I can’t be indifferent to the horror of the Paris attacks. My thoughts go to the victims and their families.”

England cricketer Ben Stokes wrote: “The people who attacked Paris can only be described with words that I cannot unfortunately express on social media.”