The Student Survivor Who Shaped UK’s National Terrorism Memorial Day
Ewan Somerville | PA Media
Travis Frain was visiting Westminster as an undergraduate at Edge Hill University when he was caught up in an attack.
“One of the guys in my group shouted ‘look out’ and as I looked up from my phone, the terrorist’s car was in front of me.”
On March 22, 2017, attacker Khalid Masood drove his car into crowds, killing four, before stabbing a police officer to death outside Parliament. Frain, then 19, was left with multiple injuries including a fractured leg, which took two years to heal. "There will always be a part of you affected by that attack."
Now 28, he spoke to BBC News as the UK prepares for its first national day for victims and survivors of terrorism on Friday.
A National Day for Terror Victims and Survivors
Mirroring similar fixtures in European countries, the UK government has recognized the need to honor those impacted by terrorism—victims and their families, witnesses, and emergency services.
The event will include a two-minute silence and readings from affected individuals, with locations across the UK hosting similar events in future years.
Travis Frain, who has campaigned for this day for nearly five years, believes recognition of terror victims is often overlooked. "As a society, it is right and morally correct that we should be remembering those lost to terrorism."
He emphasizes the importance of keeping an eye on each other, as everyone plays a role in preventing terrorism. The UK’s terror threat level has been raised to "severe," indicating a high likelihood of attack, with nearly 10,000 people referred to Prevent, the government’s anti-terrorism scheme, in the past year.
