Anna Bilonozhenko, a Ukrainian refugee who fled the war, has described being seriously injured in the Liverpool FC trophy parade as one of the most traumatic experiences of her life. The 43-year-old fractured her right knee when she was hit by Paul Doyle's Ford Galaxy, which struck more than 130 people within two minutes.
Bilonozhenko recalled pushing her 22-year-old daughter, Sasha, out of the way and holding onto the bonnet to avoid falling under the wheels. As the car briefly stopped, she fell onto the ground and her daughter managed to drag her away seconds before Doyle accelerated into more fans.
She spent nine days in hospital undergoing surgery for a broken knee and continues to suffer chronic pain, restricted mobility and severe psychological trauma. Months after moving from Kyiv to the UK following Russia's invasion, she said the attack felt like 'losing safety all over again'.
Doyle, a former Royal Marine, was sentenced to 21 years and six months in prison for the attack. The judge described his actions as 'truly shocking'. It was revealed Doyle had previous convictions, including one for biting off a man's ear in a pub brawl in the early 1990s.
Bilonozhenko had attended the victory parade to 'reconnect with something positive' after the death of her mother. She said she now fears for her safety again and has put her studies on hold, but hopes rehabilitation will help her create a better life and give back to the country that has welcomed her.
