Blasts in the Tube in London [Archive]

danb

Jul-07-2005, 3:38am

Reports from my co-workers trying to get in.. sightings of wounded people at King's Cross station.. folks reported bangs and flashes in the tube.. there are casualty reports coming in. Looking at the maps of where it happened it has the look of 2 trains in the rube exploded and ones on either side made it through with injuries.. there are still 2 trains unaccounted for at edgeware rd, which is on the line in-between 2 sites where wounded people emerged. Tavistock square london is where the first double-decker bomb was. Various news cameras showing crowded streets.. lots of emergency people, cameras and shots of people in chemical suits.. doctors.. helmeted police.. bomb squads..

danb

Jul-07-2005, 3:41am

Hearing from co-workers who got stuck out on the morning commute that there are police/military about telling people what to do. News feed here now is showing footage of badly injured people at Aldgate tube station

danb

Jul-07-2005, 3:44am

Now there is a fire at King's Cross station tube..We're being advised to stay calm and continue posting news to mandolin sites..

adgefan

Jul-07-2005, 3:46am

Thanks for the updates Dan. Have family in London so it's a bit scary! Luckily I'm sat in the backwater of the West Country...

danb

Jul-07-2005, 3:53am

They are calling it a "coordinated terrorist attack" now..

danb

Jul-07-2005, 3:56am

Hmm.. starting to hear from government officials.. stay calm, obey the police, etc..

Eyewitness report from Russell square.. streets evacuated.. loud bang, flying glass.. top deck of a bus blown to bits, casualties..

danb

Jul-07-2005, 3:58am

at least 90 casualties at Aldgate station

danb

Jul-07-2005, 3:58am

We've been warned not to make unneccessary journeys..

danb

Jul-07-2005, 4:06am

Not much news now.. photos of the exploded busses showing up..

adgefan

Jul-07-2005, 4:07am

Just heard my sister is safe, though she missed being stuck in the tunnels by minutes - she was just leaving the tube station as the lights went down.

addcourt

Jul-07-2005, 4:23am

Dan: Thanks for these reports. Most of us on this side aren't awake as yet. This is yet another chilling event in the war on terror. Stay safe.

adgefan

Jul-07-2005, 4:27am

And to think I only logged on to the cafe to brag about my new mandolin that arrived this morning. Suddenly doesn't seem so important now...

danb

Jul-07-2005, 4:31am

more news crawls..

Sky: Army on the streed in covent garden
BBC: Police reporting at least 6 blasts in london

danb

Jul-07-2005, 4:39am

A shot of one of the busses bombed from CNN..

danb

Jul-07-2005, 6:16am

Lots of extra security in Canary Wharf. Helicopters all over..

JeffS

Jul-07-2005, 8:30am

Glad you're ok Dan. When I heard about it being on the edge of the financial district I seem to recall you living around that area.

danb

Jul-07-2005, 8:35am

yeah, fortunately I'm in Canary Wharf (the other financial district). Coincidentally, the area I am in now was bombed by the IRA some years ago..

Lots of extra security about, but aside from that it's more or less business as usual around here..

Tom C

Jul-07-2005, 9:03am

Well the last thing I wanted here in NY was the olympics. We have enough people here already. It kind of suprised me that London won because of reasons like this morning. London seems to always be a target and I am glad to be on this side of the ocean, but you guys are tough. Hang in there.

danb

Jul-07-2005, 9:18am

Probably enough news from me here at this point.. thanks for the emails folks, I'm ok

Knowlesy

Jul-07-2005, 10:48am

I took the train to work today, usually I ride a bike. Fortunately I work in outer London so I wasn't in the firing line. There have been a lot of false alarms and a great deal of police activity, road closures etc. It would appear 37 people are dead and scores very seriously injured, We can only hope that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.

skippy

Jul-07-2005, 11:30am

bratsche

Jul-07-2005, 11:52am

Um, Skippy, it was Dan (a MandolinCafe Super Adminstrator) who began this thread. #

Dan, I'm glad to hear you're okay!

bratsche

Keith Erickson

Jul-07-2005, 12:09pm

I am going to make a bunch of enemies here. Don't get me wrong, I am sympathetic. Anywho:

This board is not the place for this discussion. Some of us come here to discuss mandolins, mandolin players, and mandolin music. Some people want to get away from the #### that's out there i.e. London. That being said, there are MANY forums dedicated to polictics, to world events, and to tragic events such as this. Please leave those items OFF the mandolincafe boards.

Thanks
Skippy
Yeah You're right in one sense. #However there are lot's Mandolin Cafe members that live in and around London and we all have become close to one another because of this message board.

As far as I have read, the threads are relaying information on a very serious situation. #

My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Great Britain.

angrymandolinist

Jul-07-2005, 12:14pm

I think something like this transcends political discussion, especially since a lot of the Cafe's members are in the UK.

Scott Tichenor

Jul-07-2005, 12:26pm

We discussed the tsunami, we've discussed hurricanes, tornados, etc. If this had happened in Chicago or Denver we'd be discussing it too I'd guess. But now I think it's trying to die down and as Dan suggests it's probably best to let it rest. This is a tragic event and let's not trivialize it by arguing. Back to our regular programming, please.

addcourt

Jul-07-2005, 12:26pm

Thanks Spruce--you echo my sentiments.

adgefan

Jul-07-2005, 12:49pm

Skippy, even though I contributed to this thread earlier I do agree with you. Seeing the news posted here was the first I heard of it, so my reaction got posted here too.

Back to normal programming, and I'll maybe post the details of my lovely new mandolin in a moment http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Tom C

Jul-07-2005, 1:34pm

It hard for non-mando content to get by these guys. but they do allow it once in a while when it's a world wide event(Even the bosox), board members are affected, or when nobody complains that something does not belong here. Scott kept quiet until a complaint. Skippy, No trolling. deal with it.

neal

Jul-07-2005, 1:48pm

Hope that's it, Dan. Good luck.

ira

Jul-07-2005, 1:49pm

my prayers go out to all in the u.k........

somethings far outweigh mando content! nothing political about wishing the best to folks in crisis.

flairbzzt

Jul-07-2005, 2:27pm

I echo your sentiments Ira. This kind of thing deserves an exception to the rule, and no, I don't think it opens up a can of worms. SOME people care more about others than their material posessions.

skippy

Jul-07-2005, 3:16pm

I find it disturbing that my comments were taken as "I don't care" (see: "SOME people care more about others than their material posessions.") or that I am trolling (see: "Skippy, No trolling. deal with it.") That's not what I said nor what meant and I even put a disclaimer in my post about these two things! I am neither an uncaring person nor a troll, I deal with these events by trying to sympathetic where I can and otherwise not letting them terrorize my thoughts or my actions because then they win. All I asked was that the place be considered... this is mandolin board. Now.. per Scott's request.. here are some ideas to talk about....

Gibson's aren't worth the money
Monroe was a sloppy player
Nickel Creek is the best bluesgrass out there
Tim O'brien Can't Sing
Fiddle tunes only belong on a fiddle
Compton don't know Monroe
A Banjo is a thing a supreme beauty and elegance
Dawg Music is too simple
There are too many bass players at jams
Tuning is over rated
I think Brittany Spears should go bluegrass
Loars are overrated
Only laminate topped instrument get the proper bluegrass sound

*Disclamer the preceding topics are meant in jest I just want some thing to flamed for other then not caring or being a troll.

Dagger Gordon

Jul-07-2005, 3:28pm

I think it's entirely relevant for Dan to post on Mando Cafe that he's OK and how it happened for him.

I must admit it had occurred to me to ask if he and Aidan and any other cafe regulars were all right, before I spotted that Dan had already posted.

Discussing the general politics of it all is another matter.

Is Aidan OK?

Dagger

Links

Jul-07-2005, 3:56pm

Dan:

Our thoughts and prayers are with our English friends.

luckylarue

Jul-07-2005, 6:54pm

Ditto, Dagger. Thanks Dan - I first heard the news here, thanks to your posting then switched to bbc webcast and listened most of the day. Our thoughts and sympathies we send to you.

biscuit

Jul-07-2005, 8:08pm

Glad to hear your OK Dan. God bless

PhilGE

Jul-07-2005, 8:41pm

It's very normal to want a sense of control when things that are happening are wildly out of your control (read: incredible fear and uncertainty experienced). Gathering as much information as possible is one way of attempting to gain a sense of control. However, spending a lot of time watching and listening to stories of horror is not helpful in the long run. It may lead to a sense of feeling more overwhelmed and powerless than if one slowly gathers information in small portions. Helping professionals often experience this "vicarious traumatization" when repeatedly exposed to horrific stories while carrying out their duties.

Things you can do to reduce a sense of powerlessness that won't contribute to a greater sense of fear and defensiveness: spend enjoyable time with your loved ones, contribute your time and funds to charitable causes, work to build a trusting community with all of your neighbors, and practice healthy relaxation methods, such as playing your mandolin.

-Phil

mandolooter

Jul-07-2005, 10:45pm

Wow Dan! I too am glad your OK but I feel for the folks who've lost there loved ones. i don't even wanna start talking about this whole deal, it disgust's me beyond mere words. What a drag... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

Staramouche

Jul-08-2005, 2:10am

Take heart my friends across the pond, we are with you.

danb

Jul-08-2005, 4:35am

Yeah, I didn't mean to get political or anything.. I had a lot of cafe PMs coming in asking if I was ok and whatnot. The cafe itself runs on a rented server slot in Texas, so the message board wasn't in any immediate danger http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

250sc

Jul-08-2005, 2:20pm

Skippy,

I liked your list of topics.

Karen Kay

Jul-08-2005, 9:20pm

Dan,
I don't think your posting here about the bombings is political at all. #I'm just glad to hear you and your family are ok. #I've made lots of friends here and it's just nice to hear that they are alright. #
Karen

mandogrrl

Jul-08-2005, 10:24pm

I thought these postings were very moving and I was surprised how many people posting are from Great Britain. My brother and his family are flying to London tomorrow. Hope everyone will be o.k.

danb

Jul-09-2005, 3:46am

I've been in touch with Aidan- he's ok as well.

TommyK

Jul-11-2005, 7:32am

Some things transcend the rules. When forum members are suffering, I'd like to hear about it so we can discuss, comiserate or just offer prayers. My prayers are with the Brits. Godspeed brothers.. We're standing beside you.

jasona

Jul-11-2005, 8:59am

Scary stuff. Glad you are OK Dan and Aidan.

I was in London when an IRA bomb went off, and was evacuated from the British Museum due to another bomb scare. However, due to the stiff upper lip of the locals, it never seemed frightening (or even out of the ordinary). That vaneer cracked slightly when there was a train wreck in Waterloo station, but I was left very impressed by the British spirit.