Mumbai terror attack couple recovering at home

Dec 20 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

THE North couple injured in the terrorist attacks in India have returned to their home in the region.

Michael and Diane Murphy were released from hospital in London and are recuperating at their home in Bardon Mill, near Hexham.

The couple were still too upset to talk to the Press, but one of their sons, Graham, told The Journal last night: “I can confirm my parents are back at home and recovering.”

They were just a day into their holiday in the Indian city of Mumbai when gunmen stormed the tourist area in November.

Mr Murphy, 59, a retired teacher, was injured by a bullet in the ribs as the couple were caught up in the gunfire outside the Leopold Cafe.

Beginning to slip out of consciousness, the father-of-three was rushed to hospital with his wife by his side.

He had to have his spleen removed and was in intensive care in a critical but stable condition.

Mrs Murphy, 58, also a retired teacher, was suffered gunshot wounds to her foot and shrapnel injuries.

The couple were flown back to the UK in a specially chartered aircraft at the beginning of this month, and were successfully treated in a London hospital.

Terrorists carried out eight separate attacks in the Indian city at the end of November. More than 150 people were killed and over 300 injured in attacks at two hotels as well as at the Leopold. Mr and Mrs Murphy had been due to leave Mumbai for Goa the following day as part of a five-week tour of India to celebrate their retirement.

Mr Murphy was a teacher at Haydon Bridge High School, and warden of Ridley Hall, an education training centre, which also looks after the high school’s boarding pupils.

After the attack, Haydon Bridge High School headteacher John Dowler said: “Mike was a long-standing and very highly-respected colleague here. He remains a very close friend to us all and he is still involved in the school. The whole school community was shocked to hear the news of his involvement in the shooting in the cafe at Mumbai, with Di by his side.”

Following the attacks Mrs Murphy said from her hospital in Mumbai: “All of a sudden there was automatic gunfire. The whole place fell apart.

“It was tremendously loud. My husband and I were hit, as were lots of people.

“There were obviously people injured and others who were dead. It was mayhem. There were so many casualties.

“I stayed with my husband because I could tell he was seriously injured. He was losing consciousness.”