Spanish victim of London attacks died of stab to the back

BARCELONA, Spain – A British autopsy has concluded that Ignacio Echeverria, the Spaniard who confronted assailants during last weekend’s attacks in London, died after being stabbed in the back, Spain’s Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman, speaking anonymously in line with official policy, said that Echeverria’s family shared the information with the ministry after the autopsy was performed on Friday.

Witnesses described seeing the 39-year-old Echeverria using a skateboard against attackers before he fell to the ground during last Saturday’s attacks on and near London Bridge. He was employed in London by HSBC bank.

His body will be flown back to Spain on a military aircraft on Saturday. Government spokesman Inigo Mendez de Vigo says Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will be at Torrejon de Ardoz military airbase to receive Echeverria’s remains.

Spain’s government has bestowed Echeverria with its highest honour for civilians, the Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit.

Seven other people also died in the attack on June 3.