During last night’s exclusive television interviews with Sydney siege survivors, we struggled watching the survivors deal with a mix of emotions – grief, shock, guilt – and anger.
Today, as the dust settles from the interviews, everyone is still talking about Marcia Mikhael – who was injured in the police operation to rescue the hostages – and her criticism of how the rescue was handled.
In an emotional interview with Seven News, 43-year-old Westpac project manager, Marcia, confessed she felt abandoned by the police during the 17-hour siege in a Sydney Lindt Cafe.
She accused the police of bungling the operation.
“I know there are a lot of officers there (who) probably risked their lives to be there and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not being ungrateful to them…but I just think that maybe the Army would’ve been better, more appropriate to be handling this situation,” she told interviewer.
Read this:The most emotional moments from last night’s interviews with Sydney siege survivors.
Ms Mikhael recounted several incidents in which she believed police had failed, including their handling of the call she made on behalf of gunman, Man Haron Monis, requesting contact with the Prime Minister.
“I actually lost it when someone told me the Prime Minister was a very busy man and he can’t come to the phone. I yelled at him and I just couldn’t believe it.
“I think I actually said that I don’t care what he is doing right now, whether he’s walking his dog or he’s you know playing golf with his mates, I’m sure there’s nothing more important happening in Australia right now than this, and the lives of the people in this cafe. And then I hung up,” she said.
Ms Mikhael revealed she gave up hope that the police were going to rescue them.
“No one was coming for us, I knew that. They weren’t going to come. So that’s when I lost hope.
“It was a waiting game. They were waiting for him to kill someone or shoot something so they (could) come in. It would be reactive. There was nothing proactive about that operation, nothing.”
Ms Mikhael, who was shot in the leg as the police stormed the cafe, also expressed disbelief when the police carried her over the body of the gunman, after the siege was over.
She said: “As they’re going over him I look down and see him. It wasn’t a pretty sight. Half his brain was like hanging out. It was terrible. So they take me outside. And that’s how it ended for me. I was safe. Katrina (Dawson) was right next to me and she didn’t make it, but I did.”
Related story: Inside the Sydney siege. Survivors finally speak.
Ms Mikhael has given a statement to the police, to be presented in the NSW Coroner’s Court, but is furious at being denied a copy.
“Oh yes, (I’m) very angry. Why is it that I have two legs that kind of don’t work right now? Why is it that there are two dead people besides the bad guy? I feel like I’m being treated as a criminal myself. Can’t get my police statement. Why am I the criminal here?”
Do you understand Marcia Mikhael’s anger at the way the siege was handled?
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I don't think any of them should have given interviews until after the inquest. There seem to be contradictions in a few accounts of what happened so I think the official inquest needs to be heard so they can ascertain what actually did happen.
Sure this lady can tell her story but it is quite dreadful that she spoke about Katrina's last moments. I would be horrified if I were Katrina's family. They just buried her for gods sake. at least 60 mins played voiceover music when Tori's workmates were told the details of his death.
I think a little humanity all around wouldn't go astray...
I absolutely agree with Marcia. There were at least four instances the police could have gone in there as each little group of escapees made it to freedom (and good for them, I felt so glad seeing them run free). I also think Tony Abbott could have talked to the dick-head gunman on the phone, after all, as the leader of this country, would not one expect he could have at least done that. What if one of Tony's daughters or wife was in that cafe at the time? Would he have taken the call, my point being, Abbott represents the entire country, not just his family. I am not blaming the police, but this instance showed they were not prepared for this situation and that the army should have been sent when they realised they were out of their depth. Why wasn't the sniper (sitting in the channel 7 studio) near the doors where the escapees escaped instead?
The police were told he had a bomb strapped to himself. So no, there wasn't an option to valiantly storm the cafe and rescue the hostages. I am not sure that the army would have managed the situation any differently.
The gunman wanted to talk to Tony Abbott live on national radio, thereby terrorising the whole country. No political leader would agree to that. And Abbott is not a trained hostage negotiator - do you really think he could have saved the day? He may well have made it worse.