LONDON • A Romanian tourist who fell into the River Thames during last month's terror attack outside the British Parliament has died in hospital, police said yesterday, bringing the number of fatalities from the incident to five.
Ms Andreea Cristea, 31, was in London with her partner Andrei Burnaz, who wanted to propose marriage on that day, said Romanian Ambassador Dan Mihalache.
She was knocked off Westminster Bridge as the attacker drove into pedestrians on March 22.
Life support for Ms Cristea was withdrawn on Thursday, said the police.
Her family and partner said in a statement: "There are no words to even begin to describe the crushing pain and emptiness that is left in our hearts."
Khalid Masood, a 52-year-old convert to Islam, who was known to British security services, drove at high speed into pedestrians on the bridge.
The attack killed Mr Leslie Rhodes, 75, a retired window cleaner; Ms Aysha Frade, 44, a school administrator; and Mr Kurt Cochran, 54, an American tourist.
Masood also fatally stabbed 48-year-old police officer Keith Palmer, who was guarding the gates of Parliament. The attacker was shot dead by an armed policeman in the forecourt of the House.
Ms Cristea was rushed to hospital, where she underwent surgery for a blood clot in the brain, while her partner had an operation for a broken foot. He has since been discharged.
Last week, he attended a vigil on Westminster Bridge in a wheelchair and placed a single rose at the scene of the incident.
Said Ms Cristea's family and partner in their statement: "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.
"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."
All 12 people arrested in relation to the attack have since been released.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
