Stepson of Prince William's former nanny was 'last victim' in terror attack
Multiple fatalities as truck crashes into New Orleans crowd on New Years Day
GB News
The stepson of Prince William's former nanny was "one of the very last" victims to be struck during the New Orleans terror attack on New Year's Day, an inquest has heard.
Edward Pettifer was among 14 people killed when a pickup truck rammed into revellers on Bourbon Street in the city's French Quarter.
The marketing director from Chelsea, West London, was the only foreign national to die in the attack.
Det Chief Insp Oliver Richter told the Inner West London Coroner's Court that Pettifer had been enjoying New Year's celebrations with three British friends.
The stepson of Prince William's former nanny was "one of the very last" victims to be struck during the New Orleans terror attack on New Year's Day, an inquest has heard
Getty/Family Handout
The Metropolitan Police officer from Counter Terrorism Command said: "They had been out in New Orleans having a really good time all together, eating and drinking and celebrating New Year's Eve."
The group had reduced to just Pettifer and one friend shortly after midnight.
The attack occurred around 3.15am local time when the vehicle was "intentionally driven into pedestrians," Det Chief Insp Richter told the court.
Pettifer's friend ran into a nearby hotel, initially believing his companion was with him, but upon realising Pettifer was missing, the friend searched local hospitals where many of the 57 injured victims had been taken.
Edward Pettifer was among 14 people killed when a pickup truck rammed into revellers on Bourbon Street in the city's French Quarter
Family Handout
The officer said: "But, unbeknown to him, Edward never made it that far."
"In the actual incident, we believe Edward would have been hit by that vehicle... one of the very last to have had impact with the suspect's vehicle," Det Chief Insp Richter told the inquest.
Pettifer's body collided with a cherry picker near the Royal Sonesta Hotel, where he was declared dead at the scene.
A post-mortem examination conducted 12 days later found he died from multiple injuries caused by being a pedestrian in a road traffic collision.
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The Prince and Princess of Wales said they were "shocked and saddened" by Pettifer's death in a statement following the attack.
The royal couple said: "Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack."
Palace sources revealed that the King was "deeply saddened" by the death and has contacted Mr Pettifer's family.
Pettifer's stepmother, Alexandra "Tiggy" Pettifer, née Legge-Bourke, was nanny to Prince William and Prince Harry from1993, helping them cope with their parents' separation and their mother's death.
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