Westminster terror attack victim Andreea Cristea died from multiple organ failure, inquest hears

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A Romanian tourist killed in the horrific terror attack in Westminster died from multiple organ failure after she was "knocked" into the Thames, an inquest has heard.

Andreea Cristea, 31, was thrown into the water from Westminster Bridge as terrorist Khalid Masood drove across it at speed on March 22.

Ms Cristea, who was visiting London with her boyfriend, Andrei Burnaz, was pulled from the river and rushed to the Royal London Hospital and then St Bartholomew's.

She died on April 6, 15 days after the killer's rampage to the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Coroner’s Court was told.

Victim: Andreea Cristea fell into the Thames when Khalid Masood ploughed into tourists on Westminster Bridge (Metropolitan Police )
Metropolitan Police

She became the fifth victim of Masood, who was later shot dead by armed police after murdering PC Keith Palmer inside the grounds of the Palace of Westminster.

Detective Superintendent John Crossley, from Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism command, told Wednesday's short opening hearing that Ms Cristea had suffered "extensive brain injuries".

He added: "During the attack she was knocked into the River Thames and was taken to the Royal London Hospital by ambulance.

"She was then taken to St Bartholomew's Hospital.

"Her time of death was recorded as 3.11pm on April 6."

An inquest into the death of Andreea Cristea opened on Wednesday

Coroner's officer Eric Sword told the inquest a post-mortem examination had given her main cause of death as "multiple organ failure" with a secondary cause given as "head injury... and immersion".

Mr Burnaz, who suffered a broken foot in the attack, did not attend hearing on Wednesday.

The inquest was adjourned until a preliminary hearing on May 19 at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Terror victims: Andreea Cristea pictured with boyfriend Andrei Burnaz (Met Police )
Met Police

In a statement released after she died, Mr Burnaz and Ms Cristea's family said she would "always be remembered as our shining ray of light that will forever keep on shining in our heart".

They said: "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."

As well as Ms Cristea and PC Palmer, 48, Masood's rampage also claimed the lives of American tourist Kurt Cochran, 54, retired window cleaner Leslie Rhodes, 75, and Spanish teacher Aysha Frade, 44.

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