A mother-of-two killed in the 2017 Westminster terror attack was 'completely unaware' of the vehicle speeding towards her, an inquest has heard. Aysha Frade, 44, was thrown 17 metres into the path of an oncoming bus after being hit by Khalid Masood on Westminster Bridge.
The court heard that Ms Frade, on her way to pick up her children from school, was looking at her phone when she was struck. CCTV footage shown during the inquest depicted her being propelled under the rear side of the bus. Her husband and two sisters closed their eyes as the footage was played.
Witness Rob Lyon, who was crossing the bridge with colleagues, told the court he heard a 'crunch sound' and 'very high revving of an engine'. He described seeing three people hit by the car and later trying to slow the bus down to prevent it from running over Ms Frade.
A paramedic who arrived at the scene five minutes after the attack said Ms Frade's condition was 'unequivocal, incompatible with life'. The lawyer for the family stated that graphic photos and videos of her body had been posted online, causing 'real distress to the family'.
The inquest also heard about Andreea Cristea, 31, who was thrown over the bridge wall into the River Thames after being hit by Masood's car. A 999 call played in court captured a man saying there was 'a woman in the water drowning'.
PC Kirsty Bambrough broke down in tears while giving evidence about securing the scene around Ms Frade. She had gone through the victim's bag and found a letter from her children's school, which she contacted to inform them of the tragedy.
