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Bullet grazed me but hit dad in face

Agony of Owen, 16, as Tunisia gunman kills 3 of his family

FOUR members of a football-loving family pose happily on a trip to Wembley — but death was waiting to engulf them on holiday.

The group — two teenage brothers, an uncle and grandfather — were swept up in the horrific IS gun slaughter at a beach resort in Tunisia.

The youngest, 16-year-old Owen Richards, was grazed on the shoulder by a bullet but survived.

Tragically his brother Joel, 19, his uncle Adrian Evans, 49, and grandad Patrick Evans, 78, all died when a gunman started massacring tourists indiscriminately.

The same bullet which nicked Owen went on to hit Adrian in the head, killing him instantly.

Horror ... blood is swept off the ground

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Owen regarded his uncle as a father figure and was so close to him he even called him “Dad”.

As carnage erupted at the smart Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Al Kantaoui resort in Sousse, the terrified teenager ran for his life.

Rescuers found him cowering next to a wounded British woman as a gun battle raged around them.

Hospital doctor Fakher Ben Amor said Owen was shaking and crying after being brought away from the carnage, quaking: “I just saw my dad shot.”

Dr Ben Amor added: “He suffered a slight wound to the left shoulder and was deaf from the shockwave as the bullet flew close to his ear.

“He said he turned after the bullet flew past him to see his father fall down with a bullet wound to his head — it was the same bullet.

Mourner weeps on the beach

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“Owen said it was terrifying and he ran for his life, turning round to look for other members of his family as he sprinted from the beach.

“Every time he turned he saw more people falling. It was only later he found out two other members of his family had been killed.”

Owen was one of scores of Britons hurt in the IS outrage which had claimed 39 lives – including at least 15 from the UK.

He was found hiding in the hotel gardens by nurse Mohammed Majmaji, who was among brave ambulance crews sent to help victims.

Mohammed said: “The boy was absolutely terrified. He was so shocked he could barely speak.

Relief ... survivor Olivia Leathley reunites with dad in Manchester

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Relief as tourist's families arrive to meet them

EPA
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“He said he had seen his father shot and was hiding with a British woman when I found him. She had a wound to the back and he was trying to help her.”

Owen’s mum Suzanne split from his landscape gardener dad Spencer in 2007 and he became close to his uncle, who lived alone and worked for the local council in West Bromwich, West Midlands.

He was rushed to the Les Oliviers Clinic in Sousse.

Hospital director Dr Anis Hamza said: “He was in deep shock and needed psychological help.

“We were advised to leave him to talk to other young British victims and believe he was able to take some comfort from that.”

Shattered Owen spent Friday night being consoled by other wounded Britons Naomi Wearing, 18, and 23-year-old Lucy Pettit before all three were released early yesterday. He was understood to be on his way home last night.

His big brother Joel was a student at the University of Worcester and a talented footballer.

Pal Reece Watters wrote on Facebook: “He never had anything bad to say about anybody, people would never argue with him because of how likeable Joel was.

Loving family ... Joel and Owen Richards with mum Suzanne Evans

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“It’s heartbreaking to think that he was on holiday when some scum decided to do what he did. RIP Joel you’ll never be forgotten.”

Joel’s Gaelic football team James Connollys GFC said in a statement: “We are devastated to learn of Joel’s death during the horrific events in Tunisia on Friday.

“Joel was an exceptionally talented footballer, who represented both club and county with conviction on numerous occasions. He will be sadly missed.”

Surgeons at the same clinic which treated Owen also battled in vain to save James McGuire, in his 60s, the only Brit to die there.

An Irish mother of two, Lorna Carty, from Robinstown, Co Meath, has already been confirmed as among the dead.

while getting some last-minute sunbathing just hours before she was due to return home with her husband Declan. She had taken him on holiday to help him recover from heart surgery.

Retired ambulance driver Bruce Wilkinson, 72, a former soldier from Goole, East Yorks, was shot dead while on holiday with 71-year-old wife Rita.

Brothers torn apart ... Owen, left, survived massacre while Joel died

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Neighbour Emily Judson, 86, said: “They had been to Tunisia before. I had known him for over 30 years.

“He would have been with his mobility scooter so he would not have been able to get away.”

The couple have two daughters Sharon, a supervisor at Morrisons in the town, and Julie in Leeds, and half a dozen grandchildren.

IS claimed responsibility for the attack, naming the gunman as Abu Yahya Qayrawani — the jihadi name of Seifeddine Rezgui, 23, who was killed by police.

Eyewitnesses told how the maniac laughed and joked with holidaymakers on the beach before he mercilessly opened up with an AK-47 assault rifle and grenades.

He hid the rifle under a beach parasol before opening fire and hand-picking Brits and other westerners for execution.

Killer ... Rezgui on beach

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Blood-soaked bodies in swimsuits were left scattered among upturned sun loungers in what was the deadliest Islamist attack on westerners since the 2005 London bombings.

Foreign Office officials said they expected the number of British casualties to rise. Other victims included Germans and Belgians.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “A large number of British were caught up in the shooting.”

Tour firms Thomson, First Choice and Thomas Cook sent up to a dozen planes to the north African state to evacuate their clients.

David Cameron is due to chair a meeting of senior ministers today to discuss the response to the attack.


Carly died 48hrs after a carefree message

Gunned down ... Carly

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By NICK PARKER

BEAUTY blogger Carly Lovett died in the massacre 48 hours after excitedly tweeting about her holiday.

Carly, 24, posted “Definitely leaving in like three hours” before flying to Sousse with fiance Liam Moore on Wednesday.

She was gunned down two days later, six months after her engagement to Liam, 26, who survived and was due back in Britain last night.

Carly’s family were too upset to speak yesterday.

A man believed to be Liam’s dad Christopher, 55, of Gainsborough, Lincs, said: “People who need to know have all been made aware.”

Bright ... Carly after graduating in product design at university

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Friends led tributes to Lincoln University graduate Carly, who lived with Liam in Gainsborough, calling her “kind and outgoing”.

Childhood pal Kyle Leeman, 23, said: “We always used to hang out as kids.

“Her parents were always welcoming to all her friends. I knew her sister, her mum, her dad and her boyfriend.”

“They are a really close family, so I think it will hit them all very hard.”

Carly was a photographer for online Christmas decoration store Fizzco.co.uk but also ran her own beauty blog called ceejayell.blogspot.co.uk.

Her profile reads: “My name is Carly I’m the beauty junkie/closet hoarder/design lover that runs CEE JAY ELL.

“I’m not remotely a beauty expert, but so what! I like beauty a lot, love trying new things and experimenting.

“I may not blend to perfection, and more often than not I apply eyeshadow with my fingers — but beauty doesn’t have to mean conformity!”

More British victims named

Couple from Derby Scott Chalkley and Sue Davey

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A couple from Derby have been named as victims of the bloodbath.

Scott Chalkley, 42, and partner Sue Davey, 44, who had reportedly just bought a home together and both worked at Severn Trent Waterboard, were reportedly on the beach when the gunman struck.

Their children had earlier posted pics of the pair on social media in a desperate attempt to track them down.

But last night Scott’s son Ross Naylor confirmed they had been caught up in the attack.

He wrote on Facebook: “Tonight me and Brad lost our Dad, unfortunately he was caught up in the sickening attacks un Tunisia and is no longer with us.

“I feel I had to put this message out as so many of you had been asking for an update.

“I’m not sure many of you have seen the news about Sue so I ask that you let both the families grieve in peace, we are all trying to come to grips and process what’s happened.

“I want to say thanks to everyone who has helped you have all been amazing.

“One love to all and rest in peace Dad.”

Sue’s son Conor Fulford tweeted: “Hi Everyone, Sorry to tell you we lost my mother Sue Davey tonight but i want to thank everybody that tried to help me & my family.

“My mom was a strong woman who didn’t take no crap from nobody so when you lie down tonight wish my mom goodnight as I know i sure will.

“Love you always Mom, I’ve got my teddy bear you got me tonight, Rest easy.”

Ross had earlier described his dad as his best mate.

He said: “Ross describes his old man as a “loving, typical bloke”. He is a great guy,” said Ross.

“He’s just a normal, typical bloke. He’s a fun loving guy. Even though he is 20 years older than me, he’s like a mate – that’s how it is.”

Sue’s ex-husband, window cleaner Darren Fulford, 48, described her as a “loving mum” who adored her family.

He added: “She was loving mum whose life was cut tragically short by a fanatic. Words can’t decribe how we are feeling at the moment.

“She adored her family and her two grand children.”

David Thompson last night confirmed his mother-in-law Lisa Burbidge, from Whickham in Tyne and Wear, was among those killed.

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Boys’ Brigade officer James McQuire, 66, and his wife Ann, 63, had recently retired.

Son Stuart, 32, said: “I just don’t what to say, I can’t speak.”

Speaking from her hospital bed Cheryl Mellor, 55, from Bodmin, Cornwall, last night said her engineer husband Stephen, 59, was killed in front of her.

The retired psychiatric nurse, who was hit the forearm and leg, said he was trying to shield her when he was hit and she only survived by playing dead.

Witnesses said Tunisians lined up along the beach to stop the gunman killing more tourists.

Other families are still desperately waiting for news.