Man who used narwhal tusk against London attacker identified as British civil servant

A man who used a narwhal tusk to help subdue an attacker near London Bridge last month has been identified as a British civil servant.

The Associated Press reported that Darryn Frost, 38, who works in communications at Britain’s Justice Ministry, identified himself to Britain’s Press Association on Saturday.

Frost told the press group that he acted instinctively to stop the attacker, even though the suspect claimed to be wearing an explosive vest.

The confrontation began at a prison rehabilitation program held at a hall near the bridge.

“When we heard the noise from the floor below, a few of us rushed to the scene,” Frost said.

“I took a narwhal tusk from the wall and used it to defend myself and others from the attacker,” he continued. “Another man was holding the attacker at bay with a wooden chair.”

Bystanders were spotted in video circulated online last month using multiple objects, including the narwhal tusk and a fire extinguisher, to subdue the attacker on the bridge.

Reports at the time indicated that the tusk was removed from a wall at Fishmongers’ Hall, which was hosting a conference to rehabilitate former prisoners.

A guy who was with us at Fishmongers Hall took a 5’ narwhale tusk from the wall and went out to confront the attacker. You can see him standing over the man (with what looks like a white pole) in the video. We were trying to help victims inside but that man’s a hero #LondonBridge

— Amy Coop (@theamycoop) November 29, 2019

When the situation moved to London Bridge itself, Frost said he and others were able to fight the attacker to ground until police arrived.

The attacker, who police later said was a known extremist who had served time in prison for terrorist activity, was shot dead by police. Authorities said the device he was wearing was a “hoax explosive.”

According to the AP, Frost said he didn’t identify himself sooner out of respect for the two people who were killed in the attack.

“In reading about their lives and work I am convinced they represent all that is good in the world, and I will always feel the deep hurt of not being able to save them,” Frost said.