Armed police officers patrol on London Bridge, one of the scenes of the June 3 terror attack. Picture: AFP / Odd ANDERSEN

The officer, who has not been named, was one of the first on the scene and was stabbed in the head, arm and leg.

From his hospital bed, he told London Police to let the families of the victims know how moved he is by their plight.

“I’m so sorry I couldn't do more and I want you to know I did everything I could,” he said via a police statement.

London Bridge transport police were at the front line of the June 3 terror attack. Picture: AFP / DANIEL SORABJISource:AFP

“Like every police officer who responded, I was simply doing my job. I didn’t expect the level of love and well wishes I have received.

“I feel like I did what any other person would have done. I want to say sorry to the families that lost their loved ones ...

“I am so proud of my colleagues from BTP and everyone from the other emergency services who were on shift that night and did everything they could in the face of danger. I especially want to thank the officers who saved my life and kept me alive. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for them.

“Saturday night changed my life, like I’m sure it has for many others. My thoughts are with the people who died in the attack, but also with those that were injured and are recovering in hospital, including the three other officers that were injured, and all the members of the public who rushed to help.”

CRUCIAL MOMENT CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Extraordinary video has emerged of the moment police gunned down the three London Bridge terrorists, killing them almost instantly as they viciously stabbed a man on the street.

The graphic CCTV footage throws the three Islamists — Khuram Shazad Butt, 27, Rachid Radouane, 30, and Youseff Zaghba, 22, chasing a man across the road and violently stabbing at him with long-bladed knives.

The London attackers set upon a man in the street.Source:Supplied

The moment the London attackers are shot dead by police.Source:Supplied

Seconds later, a police car arrives, with armed officers leaping out as is it still moving, and gunning the men down.

One officer falls over in the confrontation, which saw police unleash more than 50 bullets in just seconds, and came at 10.16pm on June 3 — eight minutes after police received the first call for help.

The officer gets to his feet afterwards — and the stabbed man is also seen staggering away.

PARENTS EXPRESS DISGUST

The emergence of the video comes as the attackers’ families expressed their disgust at the actions of the three men, who killed eight people, including two Australians, Sara Zelenak, 21, and Kirsty Boden, 28.

Butt, the ringleader of the attack, was a known Islamist who had been investigated in the past. His family said yesterday they were “shocked and appalled by the actions of Khuram and his associates.’’

“We strongly condemn these actions.

“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families at this time.

“Now more than ever we need to work together to stop the actions of the mindless few who claim to be acting in the name of Islam.”

Kirsty Boden. Picture: DFAT/ Boden familySource:AFP

Sara Zelanak. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

And the Italian mother of Zaghba said she was ashamed.

Zaghba, like Butt, had come to the attention of the authorities in the past, including for trying to enter Syria, but appeared to have slipped through the security net.

Video obtained by The Times also showed the trio meeting at midnight, apparently planning the terror attack, near an all-Muslim gym where Butt worked, five days before the attack.

Zaghba’s mother, Valeria Khadija Collina, told L’Espresso in Italy that she could relate to the pain of victims’ families, saying: “I can understand from my own personal tragedy.

“But I don’t even have the courage to compare my pain to theirs. It’s as if I were ashamed to say ‘I’m also a mother, I’m also suffering’,” she said.

JIHADISTS’ ‘SICK MIDNIGHT MEETING’

WARNING: The below contains graphic content that may upset some readers

THE evil London Bridge terrorists were caught on camera five days before the attack, joking and hugging as they planned their massacre.

In images that were obtained by The Times, Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, are seen in the early hours of Monday, May 29, outside a gym in Barking, East London.

London Bridge terror attackers filmed a week before the attack, near a gym where Khurum Butt worked. L to R Rachid Redouane, left, Khuram Butt, centre, and Youssef Zaghba, right. Picture: The TimesSource:Supplied

The images show Redouane, wearing an Adidas top, place his phone in the street before the trio walk down St Luke’s Avenue.

They are off camera for ten minutes, and it is thought that his phone was left in the street to ensure they were not monitored.

Redouane later returns to retrieve his phone and the group share a joke.

Police officers are now probing the footage.

One of the terrorists — Butt — helped as an assistant at the all-Muslim gym Ummah Fitness which is where they are seen meeting in the images.

The gym is run by Sajeel Shahid, 41, who was part of hate preacher Choudary’s network which allegedly helped set up weapons training in Pakistan for the 7/7 murderers.

CRIME SCENE OPENS

Police yesterday lifted many of the road blocks around the scene of the terror attack, but kept the Borough Market sealed off, as forensic officers investigated the third terror attack in the UK in less than three months.

Police officers who were among the first responders went to the makeshift shrine on the southern end of the bridge, laying flowers and paying respects.

A large group of imams and Muslim community leaders also visited the shrine, saying prayers and renouncing Islamist extremism.

The number of victims rose from seven to eight yesterday when police found the body of French citizen Xavier Thomas, 45, in the River Thames, about 6km from London Bridge.

A picture taken through the window of a bus shows the upturned tables and debris outside the restaurants, cafes and pubs on Stoney Street at Borough Market in London. Picture: AFP / Odd ANDERSENSource:AFP

Mr Thomas was thrown over the bridge when he was struck by the rented van the terrorists had packed with homemade petrol bombs before they sped down the southbound footpath, mowing down pedestrians before crashing the van and leaping out to attack people in the Borough Market with large knives.

Also yesterday, police arrested three more people as they continue to investigate any associates of the evil trio.

Two men, aged 27 and 29, were held on suspicion of the preparation of terrorist acts. Another man, 33, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs.

A 30-year-old was charged with preparation of terror acts on Wednesday.