London Bridge attack: Polish kitchen porter stabbed while fighting off terrorist with pole says he ‘acted instinctively’

A kitchen porter who was cut five times as he fought off the London Bridge attacker with a pole has said he “acted instinctively”.

Lukasz Koczocik, who works at Fishmongers’ Hall, where convicted terrorist Usman Khan struck on Friday afternoon, sent his condolences to the families and victims of the “sad and pointless attack”.

In a statement released through London’s Metropolitan Police, the Polish national described how he took on the knifeman with a pole, while someone else used the narwhal tusk that earlier reports claimed he had been armed with.

He said: “I was working at Fishmongers’ Hall as normal when the unimaginable and tragic terrorist attack happened.

“I and several others tried to stop a man from attacking people inside the building. I did this using a pole I found. Someone else was holding a narwhal tusk.

“The man attacked me, after which he left the building. A number of us followed him out but I stopped at the bollards of the bridge.”

Mr Koczocik​ was later taken to hospital but has now returned home.

“When the attack happened, I acted instinctively,” he said. “I am now coming to terms with the whole traumatic incident and would like the space to do this in privacy, with the support of my family.

“I would like to express my condolences to the families who have lost precious loved ones. I would like to send my best wishes to them and everyone affected by this sad and pointless attack.”

Cambridge University graduates Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, were both stabbed to death by 28-year-old Khan during a prisoner rehabilitation event which they were supporting.

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Khan, who was armed with two knives and wearing a fake suicide vest, was tackled by members of the public, including ex-offenders from the conference, before he was shot dead by police on London Bridge.

Two other people who were injured remain in a stable condition in hospital.

Mr Merritt, from Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, was a co-ordinator for Learning Together, a programme associated with Cambridge University’s Institute of Criminology, which is aimed at bringing offenders and people in higher education to “study alongside each other”.

Ms Jones, from Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, was a volunteer on the programme.

Khan’s family said they were “shocked and saddened” by the atrocity and “totally condemn” his actions.

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They said in a statement: “We are saddened and shocked by what Usman has done. We totally condemn his actions and we wish to express our condolences to the families of the victims that have died and wish a speedy recovery to all of the injured.

“We would like to request privacy for our family at this difficult time.”

Mr Merritt’s girlfriend paid tribute to him, describing him as a “phenomenal” man.

She wrote on Facebook: “My love, you are phenomenal and have opened so many doors for those that society turned their backs on.”

Leanne O’Brien posted the message after Mr Merritt’s father David criticised politicians for using his son’s death “to perpetuate an agenda of hate”.

Ms Jones was described by her family as having “great passion” for providing support to victims of crime.

They added in a statement: “She was intent on living life to the full and had a wonderful thirst for knowledge, enabling her to be the best she could be.”