Doug Markell, aged 71, was a semi-retired businessman and former deputy mayor of Woollahra, Australia. Mr. Markell was one of two Australian victims of the Mumbai terrorist attacks that took place on November 26, 2008.
Mr. Markell was taking a tour of India accompanied by his wife Alison. Mrs. Markell narrowly escaped death in the corridor of the Taj Hotel after her husband was shot multiple times by terrorists while trying to escape. The couple were woken by the sound of gunfire and an explosion at 9.30pm on November 27 after going to bed early in preparation for an early flight home to Sydney the next day. Hotel staff rang to tell them there had been a security alert and advised them to stay in their room. Several hours later, the couple heard large explosions followed by close gunfire. At 3.45am, Mr. Markell looked through the peep hole in the door to find the corridor outside was on fire. As they attempted to escape they were caught in terrorist gunfire.
Mr. Markell received multiple gunshot wounds and was killed in the hotel. Members of the hotel staff found Mrs. Markell and hid her. They later escorted her out of the hotel and she was taken by ambulance to Mumbai Hospital, where she was met by Australian consulate staff and made contact with her family. The family said Mr Markell would be remembered as a "strong but gentle and generous man, a loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather, and friend to many".
Douglas Markell News
Sydney Morning Herald: Markell family describes final moments (December 01, 2008)
Times of India: Australia confirms second death in Mumbai attacks (December 1, 2008)
Melbourne Herald Sun: Doug Markell: Gunned down in cold blood (November 29, 2008)
The Australian: Malcolm Turnbull says Doug Markell played leading role in his community (November 28, 2008)
The Australian: arrive home to tell of attack on the Taj (December 1, 2008)
Google Maps: Attack Locations in Mumbai
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References
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Douglass Markell was from Sydney, Australia
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He and his wife where on a tour of India when he was gunned down by terrorists
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Mr. Markell served as a councillor with Woollahra from 1991 to 1995 and was deputy mayor in 1994 and 1995Sydney Morning Herald: Mumbai holiday turns to hell for Sydneysider
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