Of all the tales of heroism from the horrors of Friday (Saturday NZ time), one stood out: that of a man who gave his life to save a young woman.
Parcel worker Ludovic Boumbas was out with Chloe Clement celebrating a mutual friend's birthday at the La Belle Equipe café when gunmen attacked.
As the terrorists sprayed the bar with bullets, Mr Boumbas, 40, threw himself in front of Miss Clement - sacrificing his own life - so she could survive.
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Miss Clement suffered a bullet wound to the arm and now lies in a hospital bed, remembering her many friends and colleagues who died during the birthday celebrations.