'My miraculous escape from Berlin Christmas market killer': British student, 22, reveals he was HIT by the truck as it careered through city centre and killed 12 people 

  • Matthew Shepherd, 22, was in Germany with his girlfriend Lauren Emsden
  • They were hit by the lorry which killed 12 people at the Berlin Christmas market
  • The couple escaped with just bruises and are now safely back in the UK
  • The juggernaut truck ploughed through crowds in the city centre on Monday 

By Gareth Davies For Mailonline

Published: 13:19 EST, 21 December 2016 | Updated: 17:57 EST, 21 December 2016

A British student has told of his horror after he and his girlfriend were hit by the truck that killed 12 people at Berlin's Christmas market. 

Matthew Shepherd, 22, was in Germany with his girlfriend Lauren Emsden when the killer careered through the city centre. 

The couple escaped with just bruises and are understood to be back safely in the UK. 

Matthew Shepherd, 22, pictured left with his girlfriend Lauren Emsden, right, were hit by the truck that killed 12 people in Berlin

A picture of the scene where Matthew Shepherd and Lauren Emsden had been enjoying festivities at a crowded Christmas market after a truck ploughed through it in Berlin

An aerial shot of the truck, which is thought to have been hijacked, that careered through the Christmas market in Berlin, leaving behind a trail of destruction

Mr Shepherd, originally from London, took to Facebook to say: 'Hate posting something like this but just want to let everyone know that me and Lauren Emsden were hit by the truck in Berlin tonight.

'So lucky to say we are in one piece and are just being treated for shock and bruises. Thoughts and prayers out to everyone else who has been affected,' according to the Evening Standard. 

He is now understood to be living in Meldreth, Cambridgeshire, and his girlfriend Ms Emsden is a veterinary student at the Royal Veterinary College in London. 

Gary Emsden, who is though to be a family member, also took to the social media site to say: 'Lauren and Matt had a very close call. somebody is looking out for them. thank you.'

A Foreign office spokesman said: 'We are in close contact with the German authorities following a suspected terrorist attack in Berlin earlier this week.

'Earlier today, German officials informed us that two British nationals had received medical attention for shock and minor injuries and were discharged a short time later.

'We stand ready to provide assistance to any more British Nationals caught up in the attack. 

'We continue to advise any British Nationals in the area to remain vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities.'

On Tuesday, the day after the truck killer slaughtered 12 people in Berlin, people created memorials at the scene for those who lost their lives

The killer hijacked a juggernaut laden with steel to carry out the attack. 

The lorry's computer system recorded a series of stop-start manoeuvres 'as if someone was learning how to drive'.

At 7pm local time it drove around the Christmas market on Breitscheidplatz Square several times, as if to build up speed, before switching off its headlights and charging at 40mph into a crowd.

Victims including children were sent flying like bowling pins and crushed under the 25-ton HGV's wheels. 

The driver jumped from the cab and raced from the bloodbath.

Already dead in the cabin was the lorry's driver, Lukasz Urban, a 37-year-old father of one from Poland who had been transporting steel beams to Germany from Italy.

He was found beaten and shot with a single bullet fired from a pistol.

Most wanted: Police today revealed they are hunting Anis Amri, 23, pictured, a refugee who came to Germany last year. His paperwork was found in truck's footwell. The driver is believed to be armed and dangerous

A Tunisian asylum seeker is suspected of carrying out the Berlin massacre and was arrested three times this year amid fears he was planning a terror plot - but they let him go.

Despite being an ISIS supporter known to have received weapons training, German authorities allowed Anis Amri to slip through their clutches time after time. 

The 23-year-old even tried to recruit an accomplice for a terror plot – and again the authorities knew about it – but still he remained at large, it has emerged.  

Police today revealed they have launched a Europe-wide hunt for the refugee, who came to Germany last year. 

His paperwork was found in the footwell of a lorry used to murder 12 people on Monday night.

He is probably armed, 'highly dangerous' and a member of a 'large' Islamic organisation, German authorities revealed, adding that there was a 100,000 euro (£84,000) reward for information leading to his capture.

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