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Baggage handler becomes international hero |
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14:58, July 06, 2007 |
When asked if he had a message for the bombers, John Smeaton, the baggage handler who helped thwart Saturday's flaming Jeep attack on Glasgow airport in Scotland, said: "This is Glasgow. We'll just set about ya."
Scotland, Britain - and the Internet - had found a new hero.
The remarks soon echoed around the world with Australian and American TV networks relaying a series of interviews Smeaton has given to the BBC, ITV and CNN over the past few days.
Smeaton told the BBC how he confronted one of the men from the Jeep, who was fighting with a police officer. "I got a kick in," he said. "Other passengers were getting kicks in. The flames were going in two directions...
"Me and other folk were just trying to get the boot in and some other guy banjoed him". (To banjo is Scottish slang for to hit someone as hard as you can.)
Smeaton's own recollections of the fight were later added to by Michael Kerr, another man brave enough to confront the alleged terrorists, whose own efforts landed him with a couple of smashed teeth and a broken leg.
"I flew at the guy a few times but he wouldn't go down," said Kerr. "Then he punched me so hard he knocked my teeth out and sent my flying so hard I broke my leg.
"I landed next to the burning Jeep and thought it was going to explode. That was when John Smeaton dragged me to safety. He's a hero."
With a rising tide of tributes pouring in from across the globe, formal official recognition of Smeaton's courage now appears likely.
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has already acknowledged the role Glasgow airport workers (i.e. Smeaton) played in thwarting the attack, while tabloid the Scottish Sun on Wednesday launched its "Give John a Gong" campaign to have Smeaton honored by the Queen.
Internet campaigners have contacted the organizers of Scotland's T in the Park music festival to ask if they can arrange for Smeaton to make an appearance on stage, while more wild demands have included renaming Glasgow's airport Smeaton International Airport.
In Australia, Smeaton's remarks, delivered in his thick West Scottish accent, were broadcast accompanied by subtitles, while in the US Fox News gave the baggage handler the fawning treatment it normally reserves for Vice-President Dick Cheney.
But it is on the Internet that 'Smeatonmania' has come into its own. The website johnsmeaton.com gives visitors the chance to buy a beer for the baggage handler at the bar of the Glasgow airport Holiday Inn. By Monday more than 1,000 pints had been paid for.
Elsewhere, the Photoshop enthusiasts have been hard at work. Doctored photos are available showing Smeaton as Superman; Smeaton as a Jedi knight; Smeaton as Bruce Willis in Die Hard; or even Smeaton as the man who makes Osama bin Laden say, "You told me John Smeaton was off on Saturdays!"
Source: China Daily/agencies
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