“We continue to work with the United Kingdom authorities who have asked that we await official confirmation of the identities of the victims, and for the families to be officially notified before we release their names,” Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in a statement, as reported by 9 News.
“The Australian Government has remained in close contact with the families who have requested privacy.”
We ask the media to respect their request at this difficult and harrowing time.”
Last night, South Australian nurse Kirsty Boden was identified as the first Australian victim from the attack.
According to a statement by her family, released by the London police, Kirsty was killed while rushing to the aid of people on the bridge.
“As she ran towards danger, in an effort to help people on the bridge, Kirsty sadly lost her life.”
“We are so proud of Kirsty’s brave actions which demonstrate how selfless, caring and heroic she was, not only on that night, but throughout all of her life. Kirsty – we love you and we will miss you dearly.”
Her family described the 28-year-old nurse as “loved and adored by her family, friends and boyfriend. She was the most outgoing, kind and generous person who loved to help people. Helping people was what she loved to do in her job as a nurse and in her daily life.
According to 9News, the 28-year-old health professional from Loxton has been living in the UK for some time.
21-year-old Brisbane woman Sara Zelenak hasn’t been heard from since the attack. Her family say they are “braced for the worst” while in London searching for her.
Sara got sepearted from her friend when the chaos broke out around London Bridge on Saturday night.
“I ran thinking she would be running with me but I looked back and she wasn’t there,” friend Pri Gonçalves recalls.
The pair had been out for dinner when they heard the crash, Pri says they walked a few steps to see what had happened when they heard people screaming.
“People started running and shouting ‘run’. At that moment I got scared and desperate so I ran,” Pri told Fairfax Media.
