10 February 2006
PA Photographer scoops World Press Awards
A Press Association photographer has scooped a prize in the prestigious World Press Photo contest.
Edmond Terakopian's iconic picture of a survivor walking away from the Edgware Road bombing on July 7 still wearing his jacket and tie and clutching his newspaper made front pages around the world and won Third Prize in the Single Picture Spot News category.
Mr Terakopian, 36, who works for the agency on a freelance basis, said: "It's a fantastic honour: I'm thrilled. To be part of such an amazing body of work from across the world is truly amazing."
Martin Keene, Head of Pictures at the Press Association, said: "After one of the busiest of news years, receiving this award is a tribute to the energy and professionalism that Edmond brings to his photography."
Recalling the circumstances in which the picture was taken, Mr Terakopian said: "As we got to the scene, we were greeted by silence. The emergency services were all busy. No screaming of orders, or the sound of sirens. The police had erected their cordons, and there was no way to get close to the tube station. I did a quick walk around the roads and decided which would be the best vantage point.
"Within 10 minutes, the first passengers walked out and down the road, closely followed by the walking wounded. The thing that struck me was I saw only one person crying. Everyone else was composed; there was no screaming, no running. I saw a gentleman, bandaged on his neck and head, blood on his face and shirt, still carrying his newspaper (now covered in blood and showing London's 2012 Olympics winning bid from the previous day on the front page) as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened."
For more information about the World Press Photo awards visit www.worldpressphoto.nl