John Smeaton (baggage handler)

: "This article is about the baggage handler involved in the 2007 Glasgow International Airport attack. For the 18th century civil engineer, see John Smeaton".Infobox Person
name = John Smeaton QGM


caption =
birth_name =
birth_date = 1976 [ [http://www.sundayherald.com/life/people/display.var.1932793.0.0.php Sunday Herald] ]
birth_place = Bishopton, Scotland
death_date =
residence = Erskine
known_for = Being one of the citizens to assist police during the apprehension of suspects on the 30th of June 2007 terrorist attack at Glasgow International Airport
education =
employer = Airway Handling (BAA)
occupation = Senior Ramp Assistant
salary =
religion =
spouse = single
partner =
children =

John Smeaton QGM (born Bishopton, Renfrewshire [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118376455149259679.html Meet John Smeaton: One Kick and He is the Hero of Glasgow] , "The Wall Street Journal", Vol CCL, No. 5, July 7-8. 2007, p. A6 ] in 1976 [ [http://www.sundayherald.com/life/people/display.var.1932793.0.0.php Sunday Herald: Life: People, Lifestyles & Living Today ] ] ) is a former baggage handler at Glasgow International Airport. He became involved in thwarting the 2007 Glasgow International Airport Attack. Smeaton lives in Erskine, Renfrewshire, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,2118762,00.html 'This is Glasgow. We'll just set aboot ye'] , "The Guardian", 5 July 2007 (retrieved 25 July 2007)] a town outside the city and near the airport. Brought up in Erskine, he was educated at Park Mains High School.

Smeaton was a general bystander when he first witnessed the incident. He later recalled his first thoughts on being confronted by the two desperate suspects in a burning car as he smoked a cigarette during his break: "What's the score? I've got to get this sorted."

He added "I thought, 'That's not right,' and ran over to assist. All that was going through my mind was I've got to help the policeman, I'm not letting these guys get away with this."cite news |title=Baggage handler becomes web hero|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6262266.stm|publisher=BBC News|date=2007-07-02|accessdate=2007-07-03]

It was reported that Smeaton shouted "fucking come on, then" and aimed a kick at Kafeel Ahmed, who later died from his 90% burns following the attack.

During the incident Smeaton also helped drag Michael Kerr to safety after Kerr, another person to intervene in the event, had been left lying with a broken leg beside the burning jeep after kicking Mr Ahmed himself. cite news |title='This is Glasgow. We'll just set aboot ye'.|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,2118762,00.html|publisher=The Guardian|date=2007-07-05|accessdate=2007-07-12]

The incident has been described as inspiring others to take the law into their own hands. Newsagent and former policeman Mohammed Afzah cited Smeaton as inspiration for his facing down and repelling a would-be armed robber. [cite news|title=Newsagent 'karate chops' robber|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/6903171.stm|publisher=BBC |date=2007-07-17 |accessdate=2007-07-18]

In late July, Smeaton returned to his old job as a baggage handler at the airport. Later in the year he accepted a job as head of security at a nearby company.cite news |title=Airport hero talks of fame guilt|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7159851.stm|publisher=BBC News|date=2007-12-28|accessdate=2007-12-28]

On 18 December 2007, it was announced that Smeaton was to be awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal for his actions;LondonGazette|issue=58544|supp=yes|notarchive=yes|startpage=18305|date=18 December 2007|accessdate=2008-01-09] [cite news |title=Queen honours airport attack hero|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7149007.stm|publisher=BBC News|date=2007-12-18|accessdate=2007-12-18] this was presented by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 4 March 2008.

Television interviews

Following the attack, Smeaton gave television interviews to the BBC, ITV and CNN which were broadcast worldwide.cite news |title=The baggage handler who tackled terrorists |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2020607.ece|author=Simon Crerar|publisher=The Times|date=2007-07-02|accessdate=2007-07-03] There were numerous heroes on that day, [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7035333.stm BBC - Airport heroes 'Pride of Britain'] ] but Smeaton has gained a fanbase of admirers.

The television interviews that brought him to the attention of the world were based around his own reaction to the attack.

* After he saw the police grappling with one of the attackers, he thought::"You're no' hitting the Polis mate, there's nae chance."

* Describing his own actions::"So I ran straight towards the guy, we're all trying to get a kick-in at him, take a boot to subdue the guy."

* Asked by ITV News what his message to terrorists was, he said::"Glasgow doesn't accept this. This is Glasgow; we'll set about ye."cite news |title=Raising a pint (or 1000) for Glasgow's 'Jack Bauer' |url=http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=0eb99e56-209d-4a11-a01b-228b114f7337&k=0 |author=Matthew Coutts |publisher=National Post |date=2007-07-02 |accessdate=2007-07-03]

* In his "News of the World" interview, he said::"If any more extremists are still wanting to rise up and start trouble, know this: We’ll rise right back up against you. New York, Madrid, London, Paisley … we’re all in this together and make no mistake, none of us will hold back from putting the boot in." [ [http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/07/09/the-birth-of-john-smeaton-superstar/ NY Times - The Birth of John Smeaton Superstar] ]

* "The Sun" interviewed him for its July 12 edition. One of his more telling quotes reads::"Would you stop it with all this hero worship? Anyone else would have done exactly the same as me."

* From an interview with "Scotland Today"::"If you see the law going down then you have to step up to the plate. I mean, at the end of the day, when the law falls, we fall."

Tribute website and media attention

A tribute website [ [http://www.johnsmeaton.com/ John Smeaton - Hero For Our Time · One Brave Weegie Takes on al-Qaeda ] ] was set up in Smeaton's honour, which received 500,000 hits in its first 48 hours.cite news|title=The making of a legend on the internet|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/03/nterror503.xml|author=Richard Edwards |publisher=Daily Telegraph|date=2007-07-03|accessdate=2007-07-03] The website urges visitors to buy a pint of beer for him; over 1000 pints were donated within two days. The BBC reported on the 18 July 2007 that John Smeaton has pledged half of the money donated for pints of beer to the veteran's charity Erskine, which cares for former servicemen and women at five homes throughout Scotland. The balance of the money will be used to fund a night out for those who also assisted at the incident at Glasgow Airport. cite news |title=Airport 'hero' in charity pledge|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6904633.stm|publisher=BBC News|date=2007-07-18 |accessdate=2007-07-18]

The website also called for Smeaton to make an appearance at the popular Scottish music festival, T in the Park.cite news |title=Airport hero festival spot call |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6264608.stm |publisher=BBC News|date=2007-07-03 |accessdate=2007-07-03] The website's creator said: cquote|I watched the footage of John Smeaton and I just thought it was fantastic. He had the kind of unthinking, selfless heroism that most people wished they had.

He was due to take to the stage and perform a rendition of the classic Take The Power Back by Rage Against The Machine, however, organizers of the event have dampened down any talk of John taking a bow before his adoring fans. T in the Park organizer Geoff Ellis has said: “Through his actions at the weekend, John Smeaton absolutely epitomizes the spirit of Scotland that we are always so proud of at Tin the Park. However, due to heightened security and an incredibly tight performance schedule on the Main Stage at T in the Park this year, unfortunately we can’t allow him to get up on stage”. [ [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article2026761.ece John Smeaton, festival headliner? - Times Online ] ]

A Bebo group was also set up in dedication to Smeaton, called the John Smeaton Fan Club. [http://www.bebo.com/JohnSmeatonHero John Smeaton Appreciation Society ] ] Over 550 Bebo members had joined the club within 48 hours, and this page also received exposure in the "Daily Record". [cite news|title=John Smeaton: Our Hero|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/news/tm_method=full&objectid=19395985&siteid=66633-name_page.html|author=Karen Bale |publisher=Daily Record |date=2007-07-03 |accessdate=2007-07-03]

A Facebook group called the John Smeaton Appreciation Society was also established with over 4,000 members; this refers to John as: 'Glasgow's Jack Bauer.'

Smeaton was also the subject of a front-page article in "The Wall Street Journal". [ [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118376455149259679.html?mod=hpp_us_pageone "Meet John Smeaton: One Kick and He Is The Hero of Glasgow"] , Alistair MacDonald and Ian McDonald, "The Wall Street Journal", page A1, 2007-07-07]

In the weeks after the attack, Smeaton made a variety of public appearances and interviews [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,2179763,00.html Diary of a have-a-go hero] , "The Guardian", September 29, 2007] including appearing on the pitch at Ibrox Stadium before a football matchcite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/rss/newsfeed/tm_headline=john-smeaton-i-can-handle-it&method=full&objectid=19545314&siteid=66633-name_page.html|title=JOHN SMEATON: I CAN HANDLE IT|publisher=Daily Record (Scotland)|date=July 31, 2007] and meeting Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street.cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6929197.stm|publisher=BBC News|title=PM applauds hero airport worker|date=August 3, 2007] He also appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/6921925.stm BBC News reference] ]

In September 2007 he started writing a column for the Scottish edition of "The Sun" newspaper every Thursday [It'll be a bag of laughs, p22-23, The Scottish Sun, September 5 2007] and was invited to appear at the World Trade Center ground zero for the sixth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. [http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/news/tm_headline=smeaton-to-visit-ground-zero&method=full&objectid=19735907&siteid=66633-name_page.html Daily Record, 4 September 2007] .] He also appeared on Richard and Judy. [ [http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/3569/Have-a-go_heroes_elevated_to_celebrity_status.html Inverness Courier.] ]

On September 12 2007 he received an official audience with New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at New York City Hall. On September 24 2007 he attended the Labour Party Conference and his exploits were referred to by Gordon Brown in his speech. He also received a standing ovation from the crowd.

In the October 2007 edition of the men's magazine "Loaded", John Smeaton revealed in an interview that he feared "a jihad or a fatwa being issued" against him, but added, "that would just be fate. I can't stop a bloke with an AK47. One thing is for certain, they'll have to kill me. They'll never take me alive." [ [http://jeffmaysh.co.uk/portfolio/index.php?blog=2&title=danny_dyer&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Loaded Magazine.] ] In the same month, Smeaton and other bystanders who intervened in the Glasgow International Airport attack were recognised at the Pride of Britain Awards.

Awards

On November 9 2007, Smeaton was one of four members of the public who were presented with "Daily Mirror" Pride of Britain awards. [ [http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2007/10/10/the-incredibles-89520-19925995/ Daily Mirror - Pride of Britain award] ]

November 18 2007 saw Smeaton voted as 3rd most eligible male in Scotland in Scotland on Sunday's Spectator magazine supplement, although it does note that, at 31, he still lives with his parents.

On December 6 2007 John Smeaton was presented a CNN Everyday Superhero Award in New York. [ [http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/12/06/heroes.show/ CNN - Everyday Superhero] ]

: John Smeaton, the baggage handler hero of The Glasgow Airport terror attack.. who with several others, attacked the terrorists who attempted to blow up the crowded passenger terminal on June 30th..and who then himself became World Headline News when he was interviewed and declared to terrorists everywhere…

: “DON’T COME TO GLASGOW! .. COS WE’LL SET ABOOT YE! ” .. and as a result became an internet phenomenon.

On December 18 2007 John Smeaton was awarded a Queen’s Gallantry Medal. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7149007.stm BBC - Queen’s Gallantry Medal] ] In the same month Smeaton was named as one of the ten "Top Scots 2007" by "Scotland on Sunday". ["Top Scots 2007" (30 December 2007) "Scotland on Sunday". Edinburgh.]

Doubts

In March 2008 reports began to circulate in the national press that Smeaton's involvement in the incident had been exaggerated, and that others, who had done more to restrain the attackers, had not been recognised with awards such as the Queen's Gallantry Medal. He denied claims that he was a fake [ [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=535928&in_page_id=1770 Daily Mail report] "Retrieved 18 March 2008"] [. [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/03/16/nsmeaton116.xml - Daily Telegraph report] "Retrieved 18 March 2008"] and had already stated in 2007 that he felt the press were not giving enough credit to the others involved.

Illness

Smeaton had suffered from asthma since the age of 19. On Friday 10th October 2008 Smeaton was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley after suffering a serious asthma attack, and admitted to the intensive care unit. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7664754.stm]

References

External links

* [http://www.johnsmeaton.com/ johnsmeaton.com]
* [http://www.metacafe.com/watch/708479/the_search_for_smeato_john_smeaton_glasgow_airport_attack_he/ A short documentary trying to find John Smeaton]
* [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,,2203109,00.html Smeaton interview from the Observer]
* [http://jeffmaysh.co.uk/portfolio/index.php?blog=2&title=danny_dyer&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Smeaton interview with Loaded Magazine, by Jeff Maysh]