Westminster survivor sues car rental firm

A SURVIVOR of the Westminster terror attack has made a compensation claim against the car rental firm that hired out the vehicle to Khalid Masood.

Francisco Lopes, 26, says he was left with limited use of his left hand after being thrown over the bonnet of the killer’s Hyundai vehicle.

He also claims he has mental scars, including panic attacks and agoraphobia, and has been off work since. Masood’s vehicle was hired from rental firm Enterprise and Mr Lopes is seeking to make a claim against the company’s insurer, Zurich, for the cost of his counselling and rehabilitation.

Mr Lopez, who works in a shop at St Thomas’ Hospital, said: “I try to be like I was, which was scared of nothing, but what happened changed me. I am scared to go outside and I particularly fear busy places.” Five people were killed by Muslim convert Masood – also known as Adrian Ajao – in the March 22 attack.

Patrick Maguire, a lawyer from Slater and Gordon, which is representing Mr Lopes, said: “The priority is to ensure that Francisco gets access to the best rehabilitation in order to rebuild his life following this terrible ordeal.”

A Zurich spokesman said it was too soon “to talk about any specific elements of this”.