“I never even learned his name”: Emotional tribute to London cabbie who rescued bombing victim and refused a penny
- Perry Richardson
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
More than two decades after the 7 July 2005 terrorist attacks on London, a moving social media post has brought renewed attention to the compassion shown by a London black cab driver during one of the capital’s darkest days.
Writer and broadcaster Fig Newton shared a message recalling how an unidentified taxi driver came to her aid after finding her “bloodied in the chaos of central London”.
The post, shared on the 21st anniversary of the attacks, thanked the driver for taking her all the way to Reading, helping clean her injuries, buying her a sugary tea at a BP service station and ensuring she reached a friend’s front door safely before refusing to accept any payment.
The post read: “To the London black cab driver who found me bloodied in the chaos of central London and drove me all the way to Reading: thank you.”
It continued: “Thank you for cleaning my face. For the sugary tea at the BP garage. For delivering me safely to my friend’s front door and refusing to charge me a single penny.”
Newton also reflected on the lasting impact the encounter had on her, expressing regret that she never properly thanked the driver or even learned his name amid the confusion and trauma of the day. She wrote: “In the trauma of that day, I never asked your name. I don’t think I even thanked you properly, and I am so sorry for that. But I hope you know that I remember you every single year.”
Her tribute concluded with the words: “You were a hero when London needed one most.”
The account has resonated widely online, showcasing the role taxi drivers played during the immediate aftermath of the attacks. With public transport disrupted and emergency services responding across multiple locations, many licensed taxi drivers transported injured passengers, stranded commuters and emergency personnel, often placing public service above commercial considerations.
The coordinated bombings on London’s transport network claimed the lives of 52 people, with hundreds more injured, making them one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in modern British history. Every year, survivors, families and the wider public mark the anniversary by remembering those who lost their lives and recognising the courage shown by emergency workers, transport staff and members of the public.
For London’s taxi trade, stories such as Newton’s remain an enduring reminder of the profession’s long-standing reputation for public service.
