Aysha Frade, 44, who died after being struck by a car on Westminster Bridge, had previously expressed fears about working in the area, an inquest has heard. Her sister, Michelle Caldelas, told the court that Frade was worried about a terrorist attack but was reassured she would be in the safest part of London.
Frade was killed instantly when Khalid Masood hit her with his vehicle on 22 March last year. She was thrown into the air and landed approximately 17.5 metres away, with her head and shoulders under a slowly moving double-decker bus. The rear wheel passed over her before the bus stopped.
The inquest heard graphic testimony from witnesses and emergency personnel. Rob Lyon, a pedestrian, described hearing “a very unnatural car sound” followed by a “crunch”. Paramedic Richard Webb-Stevens pronounced Frade dead at the scene, noting her injuries were “unequivocal, incompatible with life”. He explained he did not cover her immediately because he was dealing with a dozen other injured people in what he described as “a terrorist attack on our country”.
Police officer Kirsty Bambrough broke down in tears while confirming Frade’s horrific facial injuries. She found a letter from Frade’s children’s school in her bag and contacted the school to inform them. Frade had been on her way to pick up her two children.
The inquest also heard about Andreea Cristea, 31, who was thrown over the parapet into the Thames after being hit by Masood’s car. Her family watched proceedings from Romania via video link. Additionally, Leslie Rhodes, 75, was taken to King’s College Hospital with a severe traumatic brain injury.
Frade was one of five people killed by Masood, who carried out a car and knife attack on Westminster Bridge and the Palace of Westminster. The attack lasted 82 seconds and injured dozens of others. The inquest continues.
