First hostage to escape Sydney siege speaks of relief at his release

The first hostage to escape the siege in a Sydney cafe in which three people, including the gunman, died has spoken of his relief at seeing armed police on his release.

John O'Brien said he felt terribly stressed and had an awful headache after his ordeal.

The 83-year-old said: "I never felt so much relief as when I turned that corner and saw the armed police waiting for me.

"All I was doing on that Monday morning was going down for a quick coffee at the Lindt coffee shop having gone to the eye doctor to have an eye check-up."

Paying tribute to the two deceased hostages Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson, he said: "My thoughts and prayers are also with my fellow hostages and everyone affected by this terrible event as we all try to come to terms with it."