Teenager who lost brother, uncle and grandfather in Tunisia terror attack speaks for the first time

A 16-year-old boy has spoken for the first time since he witnessed the death of his brother, uncle and grandfather in June's terrorist attack in Tunisia.

On Friday night schoolboy Owen Richards was presented with a special recognition award at Pride of Birmingham 2015.

Judges had added the award to the Pride roster because they were so deeply impressed by his courage, his compassion and his caring.

Joel Richards, 19, Adrian Evans, 44, and Charles ‘Patrick’ Evans, 78, all died when Seifeddine Rezgui Yacoubi opened fire on a beach in the resort of Sousse on 26 June.

Owen has been a rock for his grieving mum Suzanne, who lost a son, a brother and a father in the shootings near the city of Sousse.

He has also been there for his grandma Maureen, who lost a husband on that day.

And, remarkably, he has continued to help other victims of the atrocity, in particular friends Naomi Wearing and Lucy Pettit whom he met in hospital in Tunisia.

Naomi, 18 from Blackburn, and Lucy, 23, from Slough, say he has helped them through continuing hospital treatment back in the UK, keeping in touch and offering encouragement, helping them in their recovery.

And he says that what happened in Sousse has changed his outlook on life.

“When people moan about stuff, you think ‘Just shut up’,” he explains. “It makes you realise what’s important.”

Owen and his brother Joel, 19, had been treated to the holiday with their uncle Adrian and granddad Pat as a reward for working so hard for their exams.

They had an exciting summer planned, too.

Owen was aiming to get back in time for his school prom; Joel, a promising footballer and referee, was going out to Hungary to ref some matches; then they were looking forward to a holiday with their mum.

It should have been among the happiest times of their lives. The shooting changed everything.

The first Suzanne heard of the terrible news was when Owen rang her from Tunisia on June 26.

Recently, Owen started sixth form at Stuart Bathurst RC High School and College in Wednesbury, where he is studying A level maths, physics, biology and PE.

And he has even done a shift for clothes store Next, where he plans to work over the busy Christmas period.

“It will be good to be busy,” he says simply.

His mum says Owen is the one who gives her the strength to cope with what has happened.