Thursday, 25 Jan 2007 19:54
Inside the Warren Street tube train
The jury in the case of the alleged July 21st bombers has heard how more than 300 London underground passengers fled in panic as they witnessed a suspected bomber trying to detonate a device.
Passengers were caught on CCTV images screaming and banging on the windows and doors as the train entered Warren Street station that morning.
The court heard how "widespread panic" was witnessed by the passengers using the Tube that morning and saw pictures that showed the alleged bomber Yassin Omar, one of six men on trial for the incident, leaving the train as passengers streamed onto the platform.
The five other men standing trial at Woolwich crown court are Manfo Asiedu, Muktar Ibrahim, Ramzi Mohammed, Hussein Osman and Adel Yahya.
Witnesses told the court of "mad shouting and screaming" as people tried to break out of the carriage as it pulled into the Piccadilly Line station at around 12.30 BST.
Several witnesses testified in court that Mr Omar had a hole in the back of his shirt, while others said they smelled "something like burning" in the carriage.
Others told of a yellow substance oozing out of a rucksack near Mr Omar as the wave of panic spread throughout the train.
"I could see that all the passengers were on their feet," train manager David Johnson said.
"They were all trying to get out of the second carriage and were banging on the windows of the train.
"A mad rush ensued and there were approximately 300 people running over each other to get out."
Evidence and testimony from Ann Coyne was also presented to the jury regarding the alleged 'Shepherd's Bush bomber' who is accused of attempting to explode a device on the Hammersmith and City Line on the same day.
The court heard how a man had been shot upwards from a small explosion and left her "staring him in the face".
The trial continues tomorrow.