Sydney Siege Hostage Recounts His Escape

— -- The first hostage who was able to escape from the gunman who took 17 people hostage at a Sydney, Australia, cafe said he "never felt so much relief" as when he saw the police.

John O'Brien, 83, of Sydney, told 9 News Australia he just wanted to get a cup of coffee before a doctor's appointment when he stopped into the Lindt Cafe around 10 a.m. Monday, but within minutes of entering, a gunman would burst in and take control.

O'Brien and another, younger, hostage were able to get out the Lindt Chocolat Café's side door at 4 p.m., after about six hours of captivity, and they sprinted down Martin Place.

The pair ran around the corner and quickly raised their arms high in the air after coming face to face with the group of heavily-armed tactical police, who rushed the pair down the road and out of the danger area.

"I have never felt so much relief in my life as when I turned that corner and saw those armed police," O'Brien said. "On that Monday morning, I was just grabbing a quick coffee at the Lindt Café after a visit to the eye doctor."

O'Brien said he was just glad to be "safe at home" with his wife, Maureen.

The gunman, identified by police as Man Haron Monis, was finally killed when police stormed the cafe early Tuesday. Two of the hostages were also killed, Australian police said.

Tori Johnson, a manager of the store, was killed, according to Lindt Chocolate Cafe Australia. The other hostage who was killed was identified as attorney and mother of three Katrina Dawson, 38, according to the New South Wales Bar Association. Six people at the scene were treated for injuries.

New South Wales Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn said the decision to storm the cafe came after shots were heard from inside, but she could not confirm whether the gunman fired shots at the hostages.

She said that Monis was on bail for another crime and police believe he was mentally unstable.