Davinia Douglass Burned face Recovery

The photo of Davinia Douglass clutching a mask to her burned face became one of the most memorable images of the 7/7 attacks, which killed 52 and injured 770.

Five years on, the scars Davinia, 29, suffered in the suicide bombings have healed.

Davinia was seen, white gauze on her face, at Edgware Road tube station on July 7 2005 as she was helped by ex-firefighter Paul Dadge.

She said: "I went from being convinced I would be seriously scarred for life and that my life would be ruined to being hopeful the medics would be able to put me back together.

"The worst point was when I was alone in the hospital bed wondering what the future held."

She was on the Circle Line train when Mohammad Sidique Khan detonated a bomb leaving six dead.

She was treated at the Chelsea and Westminster hospital where consultant Greg Williams said: "We are not magicians but we do what we can."

Davinia wed business consultant Erik Douglass, 37, on Valentine's Day 2009.

Victim Davinia hails bomb rescuers

SHY bomb victim Davinia Turrell yesterday hailed the heroic 7/7 emergency services as a symbol of all that was best in Britain.

Making her first public appearance since she was last seen with a surgical mask pressed against her burns Davinia, 24, stood alongside Tony Blair at the Mirror's Pride of Britain awards event.

In one of the most emotional moments of a heart-tugging night honouring the nation's everyday heroes and heroines she presented the emergency services, hospital staff and transport workers with a special Beyond the Call of Duty award.

Davinia declared: "I'd like to take this opportunity to express my eternal gratitude to all those who acted so quickly and so bravely at the scene of the London bombings.

"All were simply fantastic and treated myself and my family with the utmost kindness, care and compassion.

"I'm honoured to present this well deserved award to the emergency services not only for their fantastic response on the 7th July but also for their everyday heroism which can go unnoticed."

Brave Davinia was rewarded with a three-minute standing ovation.

She was cruelly burned at Edgware Road Tube on a day of terror attacks which killed 52 innocents, and was pictured being shepherded to safety in the protective arms of former firefighter Paul Dadge.

In her calmness and courage, Britain knew it would overcome. Last night only the palest of scars showed on her skin, a testament to the skill of surgeons.

Tony Blair told the ceremony in London: "When I heard the news I was at an international summit for world leaders.

"To a person they were awestruck by how the emergency services coped that day and how the people of London and this country responded. I was so proud of this country."

After a year blighted by conflict, terrorism and violence on our streets all our 17 Pride of Britain winners are everyday people who restore faith in humanity. They were honoured at the ceremony - held in association with British Gas and to be screened on ITV1 tonight - in the company of world leaders, royalty and celebrities.

Guests included Prince Charles, Mr Blair and wife Cherie, David and Victoria Beckham, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas and Bob Geldof.

Among other famous faces were Jamie Oliver, Sarah Ferguson, Hollywood actress Anjelica Huston, double Olympic medallist Dame Kelly Holmes, Charlotte Church and Sir Cliff Richard.



Dr Who star Christopher Ecclestone told how 12-year-old Cameron Weir saved the lives of his brother and disabled sister after their car plunged into a canal.

Eight-year-old Shea Thomas, cruelly burned by a petrol bomb, brought tears to the eye as she bounded on stage to receive her Child of Courage Award.

A special award went to mum of three Jane Tomlinson, 41, who defied warnings she had months to live following breast cancer diagnosis and went on to raise more than £1million by entering marathons.

Another special award went to the brave McCartney sisters from Belfast who stood up to the IRA after their brother was murdered. Former US president Bill Clinton sent them a video tribute.

Ashleigh Huxley, nine, had no idea she was getting a Child of Courage award for saving her brother from a house fire until Ant and Dec turned up at her Salisbury school to fly her to the event.

All were chosen from thousands of worthy entrants by a team of judges.

The A-list guests at the event, hosted by Carol Vorderman, were humbled by the stories they heard.

Ozzy Osbourne said: "Whenever I have a bad day I just think of these poor people. We don't have bad days."

Hell's Kitchen chef Gordon Ramsay said: "It's a humbling experience. These people have been through extraordinary events. They're an inspiration."

Model Nell McAndrew, who recently had a miscarriage, added: "It's good to come to things like this because it makes you realise there are people far worse off."

Victoria Beckham said: "Some of the people getting these awards are just amazing. It's so emotional I was thinking about wearing waterproof mascara."

We all hope that if and when the moment comes, we can be heroes. That we can cast our fears aside and find an inner strength we never knew we had.

Last night the Mirror honoured those who rose to the challenge and beyond. The nation is proud of every one.

(courtesy for Mirror.co.uk)