It’s a miracle I’m alive
Liverpool bomb cabbie is overwhelmed by support
THE taxi driver who survived the Remembrance Day terror attack has said: “It’s a miracle I’m alive.”
David Perry, 45, escaped with minor injuries when a bomb partially exploded in the back of his cab.
Emad Al Swealmeen, 32, was killed by the blast from his homemade device, which was packed with ball bearings.
But father-of-two David was able to stumble from the wreckage of the Ford Focus before it was engulfed by flames outside Liverpool Women’s Hospital.
He was badly shaken and had blood pouring from injuries to his left ear and neck.
After receiving treatment, he was allowed to return home to his wife Rachel and their two children in north Liverpool.
And yesterday he released a statement thanking people for their support. He said: “We would like to say thank you to everyone for all your get well wishes and for your amazing generosity. We are completely overwhelmed with it. “I feel like it’s a miracle that I’m alive and so thankful that no one else was injured in such an evil act. I now need time to try to come to terms with what’s happened and focus on my recovery both mentally and physically.
“Please be kind, be vigilant and stay safe.”
A police cordon was still in place yesterday outside the flat in the Sefton Park area of the city where it is believed failed asylum seeker Al Swealmeen built his bomb.
The attack has stunned his family in the Middle East.
One of his dad’s relatives in the Jordanian capital Amman said: “His father and mother are good people.
“We learnt about the attack on social media. I was very surprised.”
He added: “If he was alive, I would be the first to call death upon him.”
Another family member labelled Iraq-born Al Swealmeen a “coward”.