Nice attack: Hero biker chased and jumped onto killer's truck

Armed police surrounded the lorry after it finally came to a halt
AP
Hatty Collier16 July 2016
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A motorcyclist chased and leapt onto the truck driven by the Nice attacker as he ploughed his way through the crowds on a murderous rampage.

The brave rider pursued the 20 tonne lorry driven by Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel before jumping off his bike and climbing onto the side of the vehicle.

He fell from the truck and ended up under its wheels.

A German journalist, who witnessed the attack, said he saw the motorcyclist dismount and race after the lorry.

“I stood on the balcony, right on the Promenade des Anglais, and saw how people celebrated there, and how suddenly a truck drove through the crowd,” Richard Gutjahr said.

“Surprisingly, [the truck driver] drove very slowly, not fast. He drove slowly and he was chased by a motorcyclist.

“The motorcyclist attempted to overtake the truck and even tried to open the driver’s door, but he fell and ended up under the wheels of the truck.”

It is not clear if the motorcyclist survived.

Gutjahr said he then saw two police officers open fire on the vehicle as the 31-year-old French-Tunisian stepped on the accelerator and began zigzagging his way through the crowd in an effort to kill as many people as possible.

“In the next 15 to 20 seconds there were shots from several guns. I don’t know who shot at whom,” Gutjahr added.

“The panicked crowd ran in all directions. Those who could save themselves ran into the hotels, or sought security in the hotel entrances.”

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The lorry was finally brought to a halt when another heroic bystander hurled himself onto the truck and wrestled with the driver, trying to seize his revolver.

Bouhlel fired several shots at the man and at police at the scene before he was shot dead by two officers.

At least 84 people, including around a dozen children, died during the attack.

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