City conductor caught in Mumbai terror

EXETER Symphony Orchestra conductor Brian Northcott has told the Echo how he was prepared to barricade himself into his Mumbai hotel room as terrorists stormed the city.

The 64-year-old father-of-two watched from his window as armed soldiers prepared for any attacks which may have occurred near his hotel.

The terrifying siege started on Wednesday night as gunmen targeted 10 sites across Mumbai, including the luxury Taj Mahal hotel. The siege was brought to an end on Saturday.

Last night, authorities said the death toll could be 174, but added it could rise again as areas of the Taj Mahal were still being searched. Among the dead were 18 foreigners, including six Americans. Nine attackers were killed.

Speaking from Mumbai, Mr Northcott told the Echo: "At one point the terrorists were heading for the Marriott Hotel about 200 yards from where I'm staying in the Ramada Plaza.

"About 20 armed soldiers and police vans surrounded the Marriott and placed themselves behind barricades, preparing to confront the terrorists. I was making plans to barricade myself in my hotel room — thank God the gunmen didn't come this far."

Mr Northcott, from Lympstone, who is also musical director of Exmouth Choral Society, is half-way through a five-week trip to India with Trinity Guildhall, an international music examination board.

He arrived in Mumbai on November 15. He is adjudicating up to 1,500 music students for guild qualifications, part of Trinity College, London.

Mr Northcott admitted: "I'm so lucky. I could easily have been in the area of the Taj Mahal hotel. You could say I was in the right place at the right time, unlike other people, including the Briton Andreas Liverasj.

"Luckily, my itinerary brought me to the Juhu Beach area some miles away from the trouble, but I'm due to travel to the Taj Mahal area shortly.

"I have travelled all over the world carrying out music work including Malaysia and Japan. In the present climate I guess that wherever you travel there is always a possibility that you could get caught up in something like this.

"But it was a good job I was where I was when the terrorists struck. I was told by a music rep that his music studio near the Taj Mahal Hotel was riddled with bullets."

Throughout the siege, Mr Northcott, who followed television coverage of the event from his hotel room, kept in contact with his wife Alison.

"She has been very worried but we have constantly kept in touch," he said.

Mr Northcott is due home on December 20.

Mrs Northcott said: "We can't wait for him to return.

"My son, Richard, who is 19, and 17-year-old daughter Naomi and I have been so worried for his safety.

"When I first saw what was happening on the TV, I immediately rang Brian at his hotel.

"Everyone, including friends, has been so kind contacting us and asking about Brian.

"I haven't felt alone through all this."