Shocked but not surprised (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Shocked but not surprised

Paul Lawrenson who lost part of an arm in the 2002 terror attacks on the islandA MAN who lost part of his arm in the 2002 Bali bombing has said he is not surprised that the island is suffering again.

Paul Lawrenson, who lives in Chippenham and works for Swindon mobile phone firm Motorola, lost his lower right arm and also nearly lost his lower left leg following the terrorist attacks in the tourist resort of Kuta in October 2002.

Talking after Saturday's bombing in which three suicide bombers exploded bombs at three packed restaurants on the island killing 22, Mr Lawrenson said: "I'm naturally shocked, but relieved that the bombs were relatively small compared to the mother that got me.

"Somehow I am not surprised though.

"Indonesia has a laid back attitude towards terrorism.

"And Indonesia gets upset when foreign countries tell their nationals not to travel to Indonesia. They are having a laugh."

In spite of the carnage he had seen on television in Saturday's bombing, Mr Lawrenson said that the emergency response to the bombs seemed to be far better than it had been in 2002.

He said he had been in touch with a hospital volunteer who had told him that the situation, although bad, was better than it had been before.

He said: "There were far fewer deaths and casualties, few burns and the hospital is now on a different planet than it was in 2002.

"Even foreign medical assistance was at the hospital within an hour and welcomed immediately,

"I even saw flashing blue lights of ambulances on TV.

"They never existed three years ago! Since then the Australians have built an ambulance centre at Sanghla hospital.

"It looks like it's been money well spent."

Earlier this week, the Adver reported on the plight of Sue Cooper from Folkestone.

Her brother, Paul Hussey, a hotel manager working in Bali who was originally from Swindon, died in the 2002 bombing.

She said: "I think I cried. It has brought it all back just 11 days before the third anniversary."

Meanwhile in Bali, investigators have detained two men .

They are also working to try to identify the three suicide bombers who brought terror to the holiday island.

Three near-simultaneous blasts ripped through two packed seafood cafes on Jimbaran beach and a three-storey noodle and steak house in downtown Kuta.

It happened at around 8pm as thousands of diners were flocking to restaurants.

The terrorists apparently walked into each restaurant carrying the explosives around their waists.

Anthony Osborne