Briton 'dived for his life'

British company director Graham Carter was only yards from the consulate truck bomb when it went off.

He escaped with burns to his face and a broken arm after diving to the ground.

Mr Carter, 34, from Lincoln, was at the consulate with his Turkish girlfriend Jula, hoping to get her a visa so she could visit England for Christmas.

From his hospital bed, Mr Carter said: "I was standing talking to the consul guard and Jula was with me. The last thing I remember seeing was this truck come ploughing through the gates. I remember thinking, 'This is weird' and then I just pushed Jula to the floor and dived on the ground.

"Then there was this loud explosion and whooshing sound and silence for a second. Then the screaming started and there was just so much panic about."

Sobbing, Mr Carter added: "If I hadn't thrown myself to the floor I'd be dead. I don't even know how Jula is.

"I remember seeing her lying very still close to me and there was a dead body next to her.

"I don't even know what happened to the guard I was talking to. There was just this massive noise and wind. It's only now sinking in. If I hadn't ducked I'd be dead. I just want to know what's happened to Jula.

"My mum's on holiday in Australia and she will be worried sick. I haven't been able to get hold of her as my mobile has been taken off me."

Mr Carter had surgery last night to remove debris which was blown into his eyes by the explosion.

"Tell my mum I'm bad, but okay," he said shortly before being taken into the operating theatre. "My eyes are fine and I can see."

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