London Bridge attack: Girlfriend of French tourist pays tribute to 'father who did everything for his children'

The girlfriend of a French tourist, who was knocked into the River Thames as terrorists ploughed a van across London Bridge , has paid tribute to an "exceptional man" and father.

Christine Delcros was walking with her boyfriend, Xavier Thomas on the night of Saturday June 3 when he was run down at the start of the terrorists' rampage.

Ms Delcros was on a weekend visit to London with Mr Thomas and was seriously injured on the bridge when she was hit by the van.

She said in a statement: "I wish, during these difficult times, to pay tribute to the exceptional man you were and will still remain for us all. I love you. Your Christine."

The body of Mr Thomas, 45, was found in the water near Limehouse , east London, on Wednesday (June 7).

The Metropolitan Police identified the Frenchman as the attack's eighth victim .

His 24-year-old daughter Noemie described her father as a man who was "very faithful" to people, often turning professional acquaintances into friends.

She said: "The things that were important to Xavier were his children and his work.

"Xavier would not be content with a quiet life, he needed to always discover more and he would include his children as soon as possible."

Ms Delcros was badly injured by the speeding vehicle on Saturday night, but was not knocked from London Bridge by the impact.

"Xavier, my love, my sun, you have marked my heart for ever as no one had been able to before," Ms Delcros, 45, said.

"I will cherish you intensively in my heart and that way our love will link us forever. You have been a father who did everything for his children and such a caring lover to me, that you could only be loved."

The death toll had for days stood at seven in the wake of the atrocity, while Mr Thomas' loved ones made desperate efforts to establish his fate.

Specialist officers from the police marine unit then began combing the murky waters of the Thames after witnesses reported seeing someone fall in.

He was found downstream of London Bridge. Tributes were also paid to Mr Thomas by his twin sister, Nathalie Brohan.

She said: "Xavier, you were a true ray of sunshine for my sister and for us all. You were such a beautiful person, so endearing. You always said: 'What matters in life is to live every moment of life as intensively as possible, to never have any regrets'.

"Your philosophy of life must remain an example to live for us all because life is a precious jewel."

After mowing down pedestrians, the terrorists jumped from their vehicle and unleashed a barbaric knife attack on nearby Borough Market, where they were shot dead by police.

Mr Thomas was one of three Frenchmen killed in the atrocity, along with Alexandre Pigeard and Sebastien Belanger.

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