London 7/7 survivor dies after 'being traumatised by Manchester & Westminster attacks'
A SURVIVOR of London’s 7/7 bombings was found dead hours after Salman Abedi killed 22 people in Manchester last week - leading friends to suggest he was struggling to cope with trauma brought on by recent terror attacks.
Public applauds following minute’s silence for Manchester victims
Tony Walter, 52, was discovered dead at his home after he failed to show up at work.
According to reports, the 52-year-old lawyer also failed to go to work the day after the Westminster attacks, fuelling concerns for his wellbeing.
He was off work for a few days saying he couldn’t cope with how it brought back the memories of 7/7
Mr Walter reportedly appeared “withdrawn” after the Westminster terror attack, when Khalid Masood ploughed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before he was shot dead by police.
But staff at the London legal firm where he worked were told by a boss on Thursday morning that Mr Walter had taken his own life.
A grief-stricken friend described Mr Walter as the “23rd victim of Salman Abedi’s suicide bombing”.
A survivor of London's 7/7 bombing survivor dies after being traumatised by Manchester's terror
Another added: “He [Mr Walter] didn’t want to live in a world where these terror attacks continue.”
Mr Walter was yards away from terrorist Mohammad Sidique Khan who detonated the explosive on July 7, 2005, on a tube after it left Edgware Road station.
The remains of a bus after the bomb explosion on July 7 2005
Emergency services leaving Manchester arena after Salman Abedi launched a bomb
Although Mr Walter was showered with shrapnel, he survived. But six victims, and the terrorist died.
A friend told the Sun: “Everyone is distraught by Tony taking his life. After the Westminster attack he really struggled.
“He was off work for a few days saying he couldn’t cope with how it brought back the memories of 7/7.”
In a statement, Scotland Yard said: “Police were called on Wednesday 24 May shortly after 14.10 hours to an address following a concern for the welfare of the occupant.
“Officers forced entry to the property and found a 52-year-old man who was unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The man’s next of kin have been informed.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious. The matter has been referred to the coroner.”