London terror attack

Tributes for victims of deadly attack

American Kurt Cochran, one of the four killed in the terror attack, was with his wife Melissa on holiday to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary when they were mowed down. His wife was injured. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Updated

Published

Mar 25, 2017, 05:00 AM

LONDON • Four people were killed in Wednesday's terror attack outside Britain's Parliament. Here is a look at them.

'HERO' POLICE OFFICER

Unarmed police officer Keith Palmer, who was fatally stabbed as he stood guard at an entrance to Parliament, was described as "every inch a hero" by British Prime Minister Theresa May.

A 48-year-old husband and father of a daughter, Mr Palmer was a police officer for 15 years and part of the parliamentary protection force. He had served in the British army alongside Conservative MP James Cleverly, who tweeted: "A lovely man, a friend. I am heartbroken."

Charlton Athletic football club honoured him by placing a scarf in its red and white colours on Seat 166 of its stadium, which he held as a season ticket holder.

Thousands donated money to his family via crowdfunding website JustGiving. The page, set up by the police force union, collected over £500,000 (S$875,000) in 24 hours, becoming the largest and fastest- growing JustGiving page in history.

'DEEPLY MISSED' MUM OF TWO

Colleagues of Mrs Aysha Frade, who was run down and killed while on her way to pick up her two children, said the 43-year-old was "loved" and would be "deeply missed".

A Spanish diplomatic source said Mrs Frade was a British national whose mother was Spanish. Reports said her daughters were seven and nine years old.

Her Portuguese husband John Frade said his life has "completely fallen apart", said The Daily Mail.

Ms Rachel Borland, principal of DLD College London, where Mrs Frade worked in the administration team, said she was "highly regarded and loved by our students and by her colleagues".

A JustGiving page aims to raise at least £200,000 for her family.

'A GREAT AMERICAN'

Mr Kurt Cochran, 54, was in London with his wife Melissa Payne Cochran on a tour of Europe to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary when they were mowed down.

The couple ran a recording studio in their home state of Utah in the United States, and were scheduled to return the day after the attack.

Mrs Cochran, 46, is in hospital recovering from a broken leg and rib, and a cut on her head.

US President Donald Trump posted on Twitter, calling Mr Cochran "a great American" and adding that his "prayers and condolences are with the family and friends".

Mr Clint Payne, Mr Cochran's brother-in-law, said in an e-mail: "Our family is heartbroken."

75-YEAR-OLD RETIREE

The fourth victim, Mr Leslie Rhodes from Streatham, in south London, died late on Thursday.

"The man had been receiving medical treatment in hospital following the attack, and life support was withdrawn this evening," the police said, without giving further details of his background.

The Sun reported that Mr Rhodes was a retired window cleaner. His friend of 40 years, Mr Michael Carney, 74, told the tabloid that he was a fan of the music of Queen and it was played for him in hospital.

"My wife and my two girls went up there and were with him until he died, playing him music," said Mr Carney. "He had no one. You can't have someone dying on their own."