Ignacio Echeverría
Ignacio Echeverría | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 25, 1978 Ferrol, Galicia, Spain |
| Died | June 3, 2017 (aged 39) London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Attorney, financial professional |
| Known for | Heroism during the 2017 London Bridge attack |
Don Ignacio Echeverría Miralles de Imperial, recipient of the OMC and GM (25 May 1978 – 3 June 2017), was a Spanish attorney and financial professional. He bravely confronted two terrorists during the 2017 London Bridge attack before losing his life.
Biography
Known by the nickname Abo, Ignacio Echeverría was the third child among five siblings, born to engineer Joaquín Echeverría Alonso and lawyer Ana Miralles de Imperial Hornedo. Originating from Ferrol, Galicia, Spain, he was raised in Las Rozas de Madrid. Proficient in English, French, and German, he obtained law degrees from both the Complutense University of Madrid and the Sorbonne. His hobbies included skateboarding, surfing, golf, and squash.
Following several positions in banking and a spell of unemployment, he relocated to London where he worked as an analyst focused on preventing money laundering at HSBC.
Attack and burial
On 3 June 2017, while skateboarding near Borough Market in London, Echeverría intervened during a terrorist assault by striking one attacker with his skateboard to shield a woman and others nearby. He then faced a second assailant before being fatally stabbed.
In the aftermath, his family sought him with assistance from the Spanish Embassy and HSBC. British authorities confirmed his passing on 7 June. His remains were returned to Spain on 10 June with official honors from Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Defence Minister María Dolores de Cospedal. A funeral mass was conducted in Las Rozas de Madrid.
Reactions
Las Rozas de Madrid observed two days of mourning and dedicated its skate park in his name. The Madrid Bar Association offered condolences and committed to participating in commemorations. Spanish singer Joaquín Sabina paid tribute through his music, while the Spanish Skating Federation honored him with its order of merit.
Leaders within the Spanish Catholic Church lauded his courage; Archbishop Carlos Osoro Sierra led his funeral service. Numerous municipalities designated public areas in his memory. During Spain’s official visit to the United Kingdom in July 2017, King Felipe VI publicly recognized Echeverría’s heroism.
On 11 October 2018, Queen Elizabeth II presented Echeverría’s parents with the George Medal at Buckingham Palace. Additionally, he received formal commendations for bravery from London’s police services.
Beatification
Five years posthumously, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madrid began proceedings toward Echeverría’s beatification under the guidance of Auxiliary Bishop Juan Antonio Martínez Camino.
Spanish orders and medals
- Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit (10 June 2017)
- Grand Cross of the Royal Order for Civil Recognition of the Victims of Terrorism (18 May 2018)
- Silver Medal of the Order of Police Merit (Spain) (17 July 2017)
- Gold Medal of the Community of Madrid (2 May 2019)
- Medal of Honour from Las Rozas de Madrid, inaugural recipient (29 September 2017)
Foreign
- United Kingdom:
- Posthumous award of the George Medal (19 July 2018), bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II
- High Commendation from Metropolitan Police Service, British Transport Police, and City of London Police (4 December 2017)
Additional Honors
- Awarded the Order of Merit and Medal by the Spanish Royal Federation of Skating on 9 June 2017
- Recipient of Gold Medals from both the Dignity and Justice Association in Madrid and the Madrid Chamber of Commerce
- Honored with the COVITE International Award recognizing victims
- Presented with the IMF International Business School Award for a Better World in Madrid
- Recognized with the Police Public Bravery Awards in the United Kingdom
Commemorative Namesakes
Numerous skateparks, public parks, educational institutions, and communal areas throughout Spain bear Ignacio Echeverría's name as a lasting homage to his courageous actions.
References
- 1978 births
- 2017 deaths
- People from Ferrol, Spain
- Spanish people murdered abroad
- Terrorism deaths in England
- People murdered in London
- Spanish terrorism victims
- Complutense University of Madrid alumni
- University of Paris alumni
- Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit
- Recipients of the George Medal
- 21st-century Spanish lawyers
- 21st-century venerated Christians
- Spanish Servants of God
- Spanish skateboarders
- HSBC people
- Spanish expatriates in the United Kingdom
- Spanish expatriates in France
- People from As Pontes de García Rodríguez
- Deaths by stabbing in London