In June 2017, a tragic terrorist attack on London Bridge saw three attackers inflict violence on innocent civilians. Amidst the chaos, a skateboarder named Ignacio Echeverría, having just finished a skate session with friends, found himself face-to-face with the assailants. Without hesitation, Ignacio used his skateboard as a weapon, bravely confronting the terrorists and saving a woman from harm. Tragically, he sustained fatal injuries during his heroic act.
Ignacio’s extraordinary courage was globally recognized and recently brought to light by filmmaker and skateboarder Tim Crawley. In a Vice documentary, Crawley recounts Ignacio’s life and his commitment to justice through interviews with his friends and family, providing a moving portrayal of his legacy.
Ignacio’s story serves as an inspiration for all, not just skateboarders, prompting us to interview Tim Crawley about sharing Ignacio’s bravery through his documentary.
Q&A with Tim Crawley (Director/Producer)
How can Ignacio serve as a role model for the skateboarding community?
Ignacio’s defining trait was his strong moral compass and his dedication to what is right and wrong. This is what propelled him to intervene without hesitation. His family shared that this unwavering conviction was simply part of his character. He was not someone who sought conflict, but rather someone who would stand up for what he believed in.
He serves as a role model by showing us that we should all stand up for our beliefs and against injustice. It’s important to note that his actions shouldn’t encourage people to seek dangerous situations. We admire his bravery, but we would much rather he was still with his loved ones. The pain and trauma his family and friends have endured is significant. I’m a father, and I cannot fathom the grief his parents have gone through.
Ultimately, I think he would want skaters to be inspired to be good people, to be compassionate, and to care for each other. Have fun skating, be good to others, help those in need and respect everyone. Those, I believe, were the values most important to him.
Ignacio's parents, Joaquin and Maria, are pictured.
What was the reaction from Ignacio’s family and friends when they learned about your project? Did anyone refuse to participate?
Most were incredibly enthusiastic, united by their desire to honor Ignacio. His selflessness and love in life translated to a shared selflessness in this process, putting aside personal discomfort to do him justice.
Talking about a traumatic and sad event on camera with someone they barely knew was daunting. I tried my best to approach them with respect and empathy, considering how I would feel in their place. My approach was from the heart.
“They all put any insecurities about doing it to the side so that they could do their beloved Ignacio justice.”
As a skateboarder and a Brit, what was your initial reaction to Ignacio’s actions at the London Bridge attack?
I was overwhelmed with emotion. I remember being on a train to London, struggling to hold back tears. It was so close to home, it could have been me or any of my friends. There was also a huge sense of pride that a fellow skateboarder made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others, and the world was witnessing it. It was an unprecedented feeling.
While we often face negative stereotypes, at that moment, we held our heads high, much like those who raised their boards at the vigil in his hometown. However, I would trade this pride in a heartbeat for Ignacio to still be alive for his loved ones.
A close up shot showing people holding skateboards in the air during a vigil.
Your Vice documentaries and Epicly Later’d seem to be the most recognized within skate media. Do you take inspiration from Epicly Later’d?
Absolutely. Epicly Later’d has been a continuous source of inspiration for me as a filmmaker, alongside “All This Mayhem”. I also draw inspiration from compelling human interest stories outside of skateboarding.
Which skate filmmakers would you like to see direct a documentary?
I would love to see Strobeck make a documentary. He has a unique stylish way of documenting events and doesn’t rely on conventional sit-down interviews.
“It’s quite amazing, I think, the amount of influence skate videos have creatively on filmmaking around the world.”
Do you view Strobeck’s skate videos as art?
Yes, his videos are truly artistic. He developed his style naturally, while enjoying what he was doing. It is funny to see advertising agencies around the world pouring money into trying to replicate it without success.
I’ve seen big companies in meetings trying to emulate the style of Owen Wilson in Yeah Right!, saying “We want to capture something like this.” Skate videos have profoundly influenced filmmaking globally. I often notice aspects of skate videos being used in TV and film.
Do you think Strobeck has a foot fetish?
I have no idea! However, his videos make me wish my cameras had electronic zoom controls like his.
A mural in Boadilla skatepark dedicated to Ignacio.
You’re known as one of the most prominent skateboarders in mainstream media. How did you get into this position?
[Laughs] I appreciate that, but I wouldn’t necessarily agree.I got here by following my heart. Ignacio’s film was a year and a half in the making, and it became my mission. Something drew me to the project, and I believed I could produce and share it with the world.
We were scheduled to film in Madrid in March/April of 2020, but COVID happened, and everything was canceled. Six months later, another skater/filmmaker, Niall Kenny, helped me reconnect with Vice. I pitched my concept, and the film was commissioned. However, the UK entered another lockdown, and travel restrictions tightened. Thankfully, we were able to categorize the work as essential.
We have created a meaningful film that has shared Ignacio’s story. The messages I’ve received indicate that viewers feel the same mix of pride and sadness that I did when I first heard his story. The most important thing is that Ignacio’s story has touched so many people.
Alfredo, the cameraman, filming the skatepark from Ignacio's parents house.
Do you believe skateboarding has an audience beyond its core community?
Absolutely. When subject matter goes beyond skateboarding, such as mental health, addiction, or in this case, a unique individual, there is a broader audience.
Skateboarding offers the world something special. When making a film, my aim is to appeal to people outside the skating community. Sometimes skateboarding is secondary to the film. What makes Ignacio’s story unique is that skateboarding is fundamental to his narrative and showcases our community in the best way while also being relatable to non-skaters.
Interview by: Justin Saltiel
Photos courtesy of Tim Crawley
