7 April 2017

A woman who fell into the river Thames during the Westminster terror attack last month has died from her injuries.

Andreea Cristea, 31, from Romania, was visiting London with her boyfriend, Andrei Burnaz, when she fell from Westminster bridge.

She was rescued by the crew of the Tower RNLI Lifeboat and taken to hospital. Burnaz, who was also injured in the attack, has since been discharged from hospital.

In a statement released by the Metropolitan Police, Cristea’s family said she would always be remembered as “as our shining ray of light that will forever keep on shining in our hearts”.

“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,” said the family’s statement.

Andreea Cristea, Credit: Metropolitan Police

“There are no words to even begin to describe the crushing pain and emptiness that is left in our hearts. Our family, together with Andrei, are deeply touched and eternally grateful for the unimaginable efforts and never-ending dedication provided to her and us by the entire medical personnel of each and every hospital involved. Their kindness and empathy are beyond compare.”

“We would not have been able to live through these trying and tragically hurtful weeks without the support of the Metropolitan Police, the UK Government and every department involved,” continued the family.

“Our hearts and love go out to our two Family Liaison Officers, Detective Sergeants Tony De-Wilde and Geraint Jones, who stood beside us every single step of the way. You were our lifeline and we will never be able to thank you enough,” it concluded.

22 March 2017

A woman is fighting for her life after being pulled from the river Thames following a terrorist incident in Westminster in London that has left four people dead and many more injured.

The attack took place outside of the Houses of Parliament and on Westminster Bridge.

The Prime Minister, Theresa May, was evacuated from Parliament and rushed to 10 Downing Street.

Buildings were locked down, and MPs were evacuated to Westminster Abbey.

Speaking to The Guardian, a spokesman for the Port of London Authority, Martin Garside, said a section of the river Thames remains shut.

“A female member of the public was recovered alive from the water, but with serious injuries,” he said.

“She has been brought ashore and is undergoing urgent medical treatment. The working assumption is that she fell or jumped from the bridge.”

“The river is completely shut between Vauxhall Bridge and the Embankment. It was shut down almost immediately,” he added.

Ambulances wait as members of the emergency services work on Westminster Bridge. Credit: NIKLAS HALLE’N/AFP/Getty Images

Police officers were called at approximately 2.40pm on 22 March to a report of an incident on Westminster Bridge.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: “We’re asking people to avoid the following areas: Parliament Square, Whitehall, Westminster Bridge, Lambeth Bridge, Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway and the Victoria Embankment up to Embankment tube station.”

“This is to allow the emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident.”

“Officers – including firearms officers – remain on the scene and we’re treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise.”

It is understood that during the incident a man fatally stabbed a police office outside the Houses of Parliament.

A car was also driven into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.

As a result, at least two people have died and around 20 others are injured.

Eye witnesses report that people were seen jumping into the river Thames to avoid the vehicle when it mounted the pavement.

The alleged assailant was shot and killed by armed police.

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