Romanian injured in UK parliament terror attack dies
LONDON: A Romanian woman who fell into the River Thames during last month’s terror attack outside the British parliament has died in hospital, police said Friday, bringing the toll to five.
Andreea Cristea, 31, was visiting London with her partner Andrei Burnaz, who intended to propose marriage later that day, according to Romanian ambassador Dan Mihalache.
She was knocked from Westminster Bridge as the attacker drove into pedestrians on March 22.
Life support for Cristea was withdrawn on Thursday, the police said.
“There are no words to even begin to describe the crushing pain and emptiness that is left in our hearts,” her family and partner said in a statement.
Cristea’s death brings the number of innocent lives lost to five.
In the attack, Khalid Masood, a 52-year-old convert to Islam known to the security services, drove at high speed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.
The rampage killed Leslie Rhodes, 75, a retired window cleaner; Aysha Frade, 44, a school administrator; Kurt Cochran, 54, an American tourist, and now Cristea.
Masood then fatally stabbed 48- year- old policeman Keith Palmer, who was guarding the gates of parliament, before being shot dead himself by an armed officer in the forecourt.
“After fighting for her life for over two weeks, our beloved and irreplaceable Andreea — wonderful daughter, sister, partner, dedicated friend and the most unique and life loving person you can imagine — was cruelly and brutally ripped away from our lives in the most heartless and spiritless way,” Cristea’s family and partner said.
“She will always be remembered as our shining ray of light that will forever keep on shining in our hearts.
“Andreea is now unfortunately not able to have part of the money that was raised for her recovery, so we would like to donate it to charity. She would not have it any other way.”
Footage of the attack, in which around 50 people were injured, showed Masood’s hire car speeding into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and Cristea falling into the river below.
Witnesses reported seeing a body lying face- down in the Thames in the wake of the assault.
After being taken from the water and rushed to hospital for treatment, Cristea underwent surgery for a blood clot on the brain.
Her partner had an operation on a broken foot but has since been discharged and attended a vigil on Westminster Bridge last week. — AFP