A north-east man has described his horror at discovering his city in lockdown – and his partner trapped in an office block just feet away from where the hostages were being held.
Andy Dean had planned to spend his Monday off work travelling into the heart of Sydney’s central business district to go shopping.
The 27-year-old from Aberdeen always gets off the train at Martin Place, around the corner from where his partner works at an advertising agency.
Instead he woke yesterday to the news that the café he passes every day was at the centre of the world’s media glare – and that a group of innocent workers and customers were being held inside by a crazed gunman.
“I was watching Channel 7 as it unfolded,” he said.
“They were filming the exterior of the cafe and when you finally saw the hostages with their hands in the air, and the flag, it was just horrific.”
Mr Dean’s partner had passed the cafe on his way to work just minutes before the hostage-taker struck, and was now stuck in his office while police evacuated the scene.
It was then a mad rush to find out if friends who work in the business district were also safe and to let people back home know he was OK.
Mr Dean, who went to Aberdeen Grammar School, moved to Australia three years ago and has been working as a dentist.
He said it was “terrifying” and “unbelievable” to see his adopted home city under siege.
“It has been quite a terrifying day here and continues to be so,” he said.
“My partner works very nearby the cafe and walked past it about 25 minutes before.
“His office was released mid-afternoon and thankfully he is home and safe.”
Despite the horror, Mr Dean said he and his friends had every intention of going to work as normal in the coming days and doing everything possible to show their community would not be beaten.
“Although it has been terrifying, there is a real sense of community spirit here in Australia,” he said.
“I know most people are still trying to get things done and go about normal life.
“You don’t want to let this instil fear in you.”
