Two Times journalists escaped over the Syrian border yesterday after being double-crossed, kidnapped, beaten and shot by a rebel gang in the north of the country.

Anthony Loyd, whose coverage of the Syrian conflict has won him several awards, was shot twice in the leg while being held hostage.

Jack Hill, a Times photographer also decorated for his pictures from warzones, was savagely beaten after trying to escape from the boot of a car.

Today John Kerry, US Secretary of State, led a wave of tributes to the bravery of the two journalists. “On behalf of the United States, I want to extend our deep concern to the two British journalists who were shot and who were beaten while trying to share with the world