Yahoo News Westminster attack: Andreea Cristea, who fell into Thames, dies in hospital
A woman who fell into the Thames during the Westminster terror attack has died, police have confirmed.
Andreea Cristea had been receiving treatment in hospital following the attack on 22 March, but life support was withdrawn on Thursday.
The 31-year-old, a Romanian national, had been visiting London with her boyfriend when a car driven by terrorist Khalid Masood ploughed into crowds on Westminster Bridge.
In a statement, her family paid tribute to their "shining ray of light" and said they wanted to donate money raised for her recovery to charity.
"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," Ms Cristea's family said.
"She will always be remembered as our shining ray of light that will forever keep on shining in our hearts."
After falling from the bridge, Ms Cristea was rescued from the Thames and given treatment on a nearby pier before being taken to hospital.
Her partner, Andrei Burnaz, who suffered a broken foot in the attack, had been planning to propose later that day.
Pushed in a wheelchair, he attended a vigil on Westminster Bridge held last week, placing a single rose at the scene of the attack.
Police said Mr Burnaz and Ms Cristea's family were being supported by family liaison officers following her death.
Ms Cristea is the fifth victim killed in the attack, carried out more than two weeks ago. Dozens more were also injured.
American tourist Kurt Cochran, 54, retired window cleaner Leslie Rhodes, 75, and Spanish teacher Aysha Frade, 44, also died after being struck on the bridge.
PC Keith Palmer, 48, was stabbed in the chest outside the Houses of Parliament by Masood, who was then shot dead by armed police.
Ms Cristea's family said they wanted to thank everyone who had helped them in the days since the attack, saying there were "no words to describe the crushing pain and emptiness that is left 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."
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The family thanked medical staff, police and the Government, calling them their "lifeline" and saying their "kindness and empathy" were "beyond compare".
They also praised family liaison officers, detective sergeants Tony De-Wilde and Geraint Jones, who "stood beside us every single step of the way".
