Christine Archibald. (Twitter)
Christine Archibald, a young Canadian woman who died in the London Bridge and Borough Market attacks, passed away in her heartbroken fiancee’s arms.
Archibald’s family remembered her caring nature and urged people to volunteer at homeless shelters in her memory. Archibald, 30, who died on London Bridge, “would have had no understanding of the callous cruelty that caused her death,” the family statement said. A GoFundMe page has been created to raise money for charities in Archibald’s name.
Archibald was the first of seven deceased victims to be named after the coordinated attacks that struck London on June 3. In addition, 48 people were injured in the attacks, in which three terrorists rammed a van into pedestrians on London Bridge and then randomly slashed and stabbed people in the adjacent market. Twenty-one victims were in critical condition the day after the attacks, and all three terrorists were shot dead by police at the scene.
The terrorists have not yet been identified as police conduct further operational missions relating to the attacks. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks, in which the terrorists shouted that they were doing them for Allah, eyewitnesses told BBC and Sky News.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Archibald’s Heartbroken Fiance Watched Her Die in His Arms
Archibald and her fiancee were on a walking tour of London and were just visiting the city for a brief time when the terrorist-driven van drove into and killed the young Canadian woman.
The three terrorists then alighted from the van they’d used to ram into people on London Bridge and began knifing people who were in nearby establishments in Borough Market.
According to CBC, Archibald’s fiancee, Tyler Ferguson, was walking ahead of her when she was struck by the van. Ferguson’s sister told CBC in an interview, “He is broken into a million pieces. He held her and watched her die in his arms.”
Ferguson’s brother, Mark, told CBC, “He heard tires screeching and he looked back, and he just saw the mayhem going on and the van hitting people. He tried CPR on her…. First responders showed up right away and they tried to do everything they could for her. She passed in his arms.”
Tyler Ferguson’s family is now joining him in London, his brother told CBC, adding, “He can’t sleep, he can’t eat, he can’t think, he can’t do anything, really. He’s just trying to hold on until my mom gets there.”
2. Archibald’s Fiancee’s Brother Said the Terror Attack Had Changed Lives Forever
Christine Archibald with her fiancee. (Facebook)
Tyler Ferguson’s brother, Mark, wrote an emotional statement on Facebook about the death of the young woman who would have become his sister-in-law had terrorists not cut her life too short.
“I can’t even believe this is real! My brother and his fiancé were on London bridge last night. She was one of the victims struck by the van,” Mark Ferguson wrote.
“They tried everything but weren’t able to save her. His life, and all those close to her have been changed forever. My heart goes out to her family in his desperate time. These senseless acts of terror need to stop! What does it accomplish other then wreck the lives of innocent people.? I’m so mad at the type of people who can do this. Please everyone live life to the fullest, it’s so fragile and can be ripped away at any moment. I love you Tyler! Stay strong.”
Ferguson’s sister, Cassie, also wrote about her shock and heartbreak on Facebook.
“I can’t breath. You hear these things so often but it doesn’t seem real. Last night in London my baby brother lost the love of his life on the London bridge. In a split second his entire life was ripped away from him. Hearing his painful sobs on the phone while he’s alone trying to deal with this tears me apart. I have no words. If you know Tyler, please be there for him now, and later when what happened sinks in, he’s going to need us all,” she wrote.
3. Archibald’s Family Recalled Her Caring Nature & Said She Had Worked at Homeless Shelters
(Getty)
The 30-year-old Archibald was memorialized by her family in a statement released to the news media. The family urged people to give their time in homeless shelters, and to “tell them Chrissy sent you.”
“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,” Archibald’s family said in the statement, according to The Guardian.
The statement continued: “She lived this belief, working in a shelter for the homeless until she moved to Europe to be with her fiance. She would have had no understanding of the callous cruelty that caused her death. Please honour her by making your community a better place. Volunteer your time and labour or donate to a homeless shelter. Tell them Chrissy sent you.”
4. Archibald’s Fiance Was Working in the Netherlands & She Had a Degree in Social Work
Police officers walk over Southwark Bridge on June 4, 2017 in London, England. (Getty)
Archibald and her fiancee were living in the Netherlands because he had a job there, when they decided to go to London for a visit, according to Global News.
Archibald’s university training exemplified her desire to help the community.
The Canadian news site reported that Archibald “graduated from Mount Royal University in 2014 with a diploma in social work.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously confirmed that a Canadian citizen was among the dead. “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,” he wrote, in part.
5. The Couple Was ‘Madly in Love’ & Had Only Been Engaged for a Few Months
Debris is strewn outside a cafe near London Bridge on June 4, 2017 in London, England. (Getty)
Family members told CBC that the young couple was “madly in love.”
“They were very madly in love and had quite the plans for the future,” Mark Ferguson said to CBC. “[It’s] obviously very, very devastating for him. The love of his life has just been ripped away from him.”
He told CBC that his brother, an accountant, was in London on business when Archibald decided to join him.