Survivors: Freed Britons tell of ordeal at hands of killers

Published on Saturday 29 November 2008 18:51

They included Scottish banker Roger Hunt, a father of three who hid for 36 hours in his 14th-floor room at the luxury Oberoi Hotel.

The senior manager at the Royal Bank of Scotland took refuge in his room and sent emails to his bosses so his wife Irene, their son and two daughters would know he was safe.

A relative said last night: "He was a bit worried when the people came to his door because he couldn't be sure if they were the rescue forces. But he's safe and sound and we're absolutely delighted."

A wealthy British businessman was killed and at least eight other Britons injured in the wave of terror which swept India's financial capital.

Andreas Liveras, a 73-year-old Cypriot-born founder of a luxury yacht business, was pronounced dead on arrival at St George's Hospital in the city.

Among the injured was 29-year-old Harnish Patel, from Havant, Hampshire, who was shot in the ribs and legs when terrorists stormed the Leopold Cafe on Wednesday night.

His father, Manashvi Patel, 56, said his son was in shock and could not yet walk following surgery.

Two retired teachers from Hexham in Northumberland were also shot during the Cafe Leopold attacks.

Michael Murphy, 59, was shot in the ribs and his 58-year-old wife Diane was shot in the foot.

Another Briton rescued from the Oberoi Hotel was lawyer Mark Abell, who also locked himself in his room during the siege and barricaded the door with furniture.

After being freed, the father of two said: "I'm going home, I'm going to see my wife."

Conservative Euro MP Sajjad Karim, 38, was staying at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel when terrorists stormed the building.

He was among the first people to describe the unfolding horror to the media by mobile phone as he hid from the gunmen in a barricaded basement room. He has since flown home to Manchester and been reunited with his family.