‘ANGELS’ WATCHED OVER ‘LUCKY TO BE ALIVE’ HUBBY
THE WIFE of hero cabbie David Perry has told well-wishers her husband has “guardian angels looking over him”.
David, 43, survived the blast outside Liverpool Women’s Hospital by jumping clear of his exploding taxi just in time.
He got out with cuts and bruises and experts believe the cab’s Covid screen protector between the passenger and driver may have protected him.
David, a father of two, collected bomber Emad Al Swealmeen, 32 from a house in Rutland Avenue, near Liverpool’s Sefton Park.
Inferno
It is unlcear exactly where the Syrian asylum seeker and Christian convert initially asked to be taken, to the Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral – to target the Remembrance Sunday congregation as they left – or to the hospital.
But during the nine-minute journey the taxi driver became suspicious of his passenger.
Pulling up at the hospital the bomb’s detonator exploded with both men inside – with just the thin plastic Covid screen protecting David in the front.
Seconds later CCTV shows him staggering out dazed from the wreckage, with just minor injuries, while the bomber died in the blast and subsequent car inferno.
Reports have claimed David became suspicious and remotely locked the taxi doors as it pulled up, to stop Al Swealmeen darting out into the hospital’s packed lobby. A rapid armed police deployment followed, which saw swift raids on two key addresses in the city – Sutcliffe Street in Kensington and Rutland Avenue.
Yesterday wife Rachel politely declined to speak outside the family’s modest terrace home near to Everton’s Goodison Park stadium.
But she took to Facebook to reassure relatives he was okay, and thank the outpouring of praise for her hero husband.
She wrote: “I would just like to thank each and everyone of you who have messaged me asking how David is.
“He is doing ok but is extremely sore and just trying to process what’s happened. There are a lot of rumours flying round about him being a hero. We also saw one that said he was 56 (he’s not impressed with that!). But the truth of the matter is, he is without doubt, lucky to be alive.
“The explosion happened whilst he was in the car and how he managed to escape is an utter miracle.
“He certainly had guardian angels looking over him.
“I would like to thank the amazing staff, doctors and nurses at the hospital, you were all amazing and also the officers and detectives who have been looking after us.
“We’re so thankful. The most incomprehensible thing has happened to us. Let’s pray this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
Merseyside Police last guarding the house as several visitors arrived with David after discharged from hospital and recovering at home.
Neighbours hailed him as a “hero”, with fellow Delta taxi driver Kev Cuthbertson saying: “He took the brunt of the blast.”
Another friend Stephen Thomas said: “My mate sustained a few injuries, burns, burst eardrums and some shrapnel, but he’s OK.”
Neighbour Mohamed Wafa Nizam, 33, said: “He is a hero taxi driver and a hard working family man.”
One pal added: “He’ll be sore in the morning but he’s home. I’m just glad no new babies were leaving at the time.
“For David to have probably been terrified and think so fast and then end up OK - it’s amazing.”
Another neighbour said: “I always see him with his daughter.
“He is friendly and has lived in the street for years. He was very brave to do what he did.”
Shocking CCTV has emerged capturing the horrifying moment David’s taxi became a fireball outside the reception of Liverpool Women’s Hospital.
As the incident occurred shortly before the 11am minute’s silence was due to take place on Remembrance Sunday, it was feared the city’s two cathedrals were the real terror target.
But so far police say Al Swealmeen’s motive is unclear.
Greater Manchester Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson, who oversees the Counter Terrorism North West unit, said the hospital could also have been the bomber’s requested destination.
CCTV shows David’s darkcoloured estate pulling into the car park at speed but it explodes before it comes to a halt outside the reception area.
All the windows shattered and smoke pours out of the car before the dazed driver opens his door and staggers into the road six seconds later.
Witness
David then appears to warn others to stay away from the car.
Equally there has been huge praise for a man in a high-viz yellow vest who runs towards the blazing taxi to help him.
Around 30 seconds after the explosion, with smoke belching out of the car, it is engulfed by flames with the bomber still inside.
One witness can be seen looking into the back seat passenger but he decides the passenger is dead and cannot be saved.
Yesterday afternoon police confirmed a controlled explosion was carried out in Sefton Park, near the Rutland Avenue address.
Greater Manchester Police said it was a “precaution”. A source added: “There is believed to be no wider risk to the public and the investigation continues.”
‘The explosion happened whilst he was in the car. How he managed to escape is a miracle’