- This article is about the baggage handler involved in the 2007 Glasgow International Airport attack. For the 18th century civil engineer, see John Smeaton
| John Smeaton | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bishopton [1] |
| Residence | Erskine |
| Known for | Being one of the citizens to assist police during the apprehension of suspects on the 30th of June 2007 terrorist attack at Glasgow International Airport |
| Employer | Airway Handling (BAA) |
| Occupation | Senior Ramp Assistant |
| Spouse | Single |
John Smeaton (born in Bishopton, Renfrewshire[1]) is a Scottish baggage handler at Glasgow International Airport. He became involved in thwarting the 2007 Glasgow International Airport Attack. Smeaton lives in Erskine, Renfrewshire,[2] a town outside the city and near the airport. Brought up in Erskine, he was educated at Park Mains High School.
Smeaton was a general bystander when he first witnessed the incident. He later recalled his first thoughts on being confronted by the two desperate suspects in a burning car as he smoked a cigarette during his break: "What's the score? I've got to get this sorted."
He added "I thought 'that's not right' and ran over to assist. All that was going through my mind was I've got to help the policeman, I'm not letting these guys get away with this."[3]
It was reported that Smeaton shouted "fucking come on then" and aimed a kick at the now deceased Kafeel Ahmed.[4][1]
During the incident Smeaton also helped drag Michael Kerr to safety after Kerr, another person to intervene in the event, had been left lying with a broken leg beside the bomb-laden jeep. [2]
The incident has been described as inspiring others to take the law into their own hands. Newsagent and former policeman Mohammed Afzah cited Smeaton as inspiration for his facing down and repelling a would-be armed robber. [5]
In late July, Smeaton returned to his old job as a baggage handler at the airport.[6]
Television interviews
Following the attack, Smeaton gave television interviews to the BBC, ITV and CNN which were broadcast worldwide.[7] There were numerous heroes on that day, but Smeaton's energy and personality given in his interviews as well as his behaviour and attitude towards the attack seem to have reflected that of most people from Glasgow and around the world and as a result he has gained a fanbase of admirers.
The television interviews which brought him to the attention of the world, were based around his own reaction to the attack.
- After he saw the police grappling with one of the attackers, he thought:
- "You're no' hitting the Polis mate, there's nae chance."[7]
- Describing his own actions:
- "So I ran straight towards the guy, we're all trying to get a kick-in at him, take a boot to subdue the guy."[7]
- Asked by ITV News what his message to terrorists was, he said:
- In his News of the World interview, he said:
- "If any more extremists are still wanting to rise up and start trouble, know this: We’ll rise right back up against you. New York, Madrid, London, Paisley … we’re all in this together and make no mistake, none of us will hold back from putting the boot in."[9]
- The Sun interviewed him for their July 12 edition. One of his more telling quotes reads:
- "Would you stop it with all this hero worship? Anyone else would have done exactly the same as me."
- From an interview with Scotland Today:
- "If you see the law going down then you have to step up to the plate. I mean, at the end of the day, when the law falls, we fall."
Tribute website and media attention
A tribute website[10] was set up in Smeaton's honour, which received 500,000 hits in its first 48 hours.[11][3] The website urges visitors to buy a pint of beer for him; over 1000 pints were donated within two days.[8] The BBC reported on the 18th July 2007 that John Smeaton has pledged half of the money donated for pints of beer to the veteran's charity Erskine, which cares for former servicemen and women at five homes throughout Scotland. The balance of the money will be used to fund a night out for those who also assisted at the incident at Glasgow Airport. [12]
The website also called for Smeaton to make an appearance at the popular Scottish music festival, T in the Park.[13] The website's creator said:
| “ | I watched the footage of John Smeaton and I just thought it was fantastic. He had the kind of unthinking, selfless heroism that most people wished they had.[13] | ” |
A Bebo group was also set up in dedication to Smeaton, called the John Smeaton Fan Club.[14] Over 550 Bebo members had joined the club within 48 hours, and this page also received exposure in the Daily Record[15]
A Facebook group called the John Smeaton Appreciation Society was also established with over 4,000 members; this refers to John as: Glasgow's Jack Bauer.[11]
Smeaton was also the subject of a front-page article in The Wall Street Journal.[16]
In the weeks after the attack, Smeaton made a variety of public appearances and interviews[17] including appearing on the pitch at Ibrox Stadium before a football match[18] and meeting Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street.[6] He also appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.[19]
In September 2007 he started writing a column for the Scottish edition of the Sun newspaper every Thursday[20] and was invited to appear at the World Trade Center ground zero for the sixth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.[4] He also appeared on Richard and Judy.[21]
On September 12, 2007 he received an official audience with New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at New York City Hall.
On September 24, 2007 he attended the Labour Party Conference and his exploits were referred to by Gordon Brown in his speech. He also received a standing ovation from the crowd.
See also
References
- ^ a b c
- ^ a b c 'This is Glasgow. We'll just set aboot ye', The Guardian 5 July 2007 {retrieved 25 July 2007)
- ^ a b "Baggage handler becomes web hero", BBC News, 2007-07-02. Retrieved on 2007-07-03.
- ^ a b
- ^ "Newsagent 'karate chops' robber", BBC, 2007-07-17. Retrieved on 2007-07-18.
- ^ a b
- ^ a b c Simon Crerar. "The baggage handler who tackled terrorists", The Times, 2007-07-02. Retrieved on 2007-07-03.
- ^ a b Matthew Coutts. "Raising a pint (or 1000) for Glasgow's 'Jack Bauer'", National Post, 2007-07-02. Retrieved on 2007-07-03.
- ^ [1]
- ^ http://www.johnsmeaton.com/
- ^ a b Richard Edwards. "The making of a legend on the internet", Daily Telegraph, 2007-07-03. Retrieved on 2007-07-03.
- ^ "Airport 'hero' in charity pledge", BBC News, 2007-07-18. Retrieved on 2007-07-18.
- ^ a b "Airport hero festival spot call", BBC News, 2007-07-03. Retrieved on 2007-07-03.
- ^ http://www.bebo.com/JohnSmeatonHero
- ^ Karen Bale. "John Smeaton: Our Hero", Daily Record, 2007-07-03. Retrieved on 2007-07-03.
- ^ "Meet John Smeaton: One Kick and He Is The Hero of Glasgow", Alistair MacDonald and Ian McDonald, The Wall Street Journal, page A1, 2007-07-07
- ^ Diary of a have-a-go hero, The Guardian, September 29, 2007
- ^ "JOHN SMEATON: I CAN HANDLE IT", Daily Record (Scotland), July 31, 2007.
- ^ BBC News reference
- ^ It'll be a bag of laughs, p22-23, The Scottish Sun, Wed Sep 5 2007
- ^ Inverness Courier.
External links
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