A Derry man today described how people tried to hold back the father of one of the Bloody Sunday dead as he stepped into the firing line to rescue his son - only to be shot himself.
Mr Hugh Duffy told the Saville Inquiry that Mr Alexander Nash insisted on going out on to the rubble barricade across the city's Rossville Street where his son, William (19) lay dead or dying.
Mr Nash Jnr was one of 13 men shot dead on Bloody Sunday. His father was wounded but recovered from his injuries.
Mr Duffy entered the witness box on day 150 of the inquiry's public hearings in the Guildhall, Derry, and described dramatic scenes as Mr Nash moved away from the crowd, taking shelter from the gunfire behind a wall.
His written evidence, made public as he took the stand, said: "We tried to stop him because we could still hear the shooting, but he insisted on going out ...as he made his way east along Rossville Street towards Willy, he adopted a hunched-over, half-crouching position and looked up Rossville Street as though he was trying to stop the shooting.
"I also remember that he had his hand in the air ...I think he may have been waving a handkerchief, although I am not completely certain. I watched Alex Nash as he made his way towards Willy. I then remember seeing him fall forwards. He seemed to stumble and drop down in the direction he was facing. I believe he actually slumped over Willy's body," Mr Duffy said.
The inquiry also heard from a taxi driver who claimed some of his personal belongings were never recovered after he was arrested on a rioting charge.
Mr Patrick Martin Norris claimed he was stopped and arrested by troops as he was on the way to pick up a fare - and was then forced to drive three people and a soldier to a collection point, from where he was taken to Army barracks in the city.
Mr Norris said he believed his takings, wedding ring and watch were taken from him after he was ordered to board a military lorry on the fringe of the Bogside which was used to ferry detainees to Fort George.
His written statement said of the journey inside the lorry: "I was kneeling on the floor with my hands over my head and I was absolutely terrified. As far as I was concerned, I was being taken out of the city and may have been about to be shot."
Later he added: "When I was released I was given back my personal possessions, but I found that some of them were missing, in particular some taxi money, my wedding ring and my watch."
He said later: "Some months after the event I received a letter which said all charges against me had been dropped and I believe some time after that I got a further letter enclosing £16 or £17 in compensation for the lost property.
"I never took the matter of the lost property any further. I just wanted to forget the whole thing, it having been such a terrifying experience."
The inquiry resumes tomorrow.
PA