Thursday 23 March 2017

UNITED KINGDOM: Terror In London

Two innocent victims of Wednesday’s terror attack on Westminster have been named as a mum-of-two teacher doing the school run and an American tourist on a dream holiday across Europe.

The pair were mowed down and killed by a British-born lone wolf extremist who ploughed into crowds on Westminster Bridge – as it is revealed he was previously investigated for violent extremism.

US tourist Kurt Cochran was also killed in the terrorist incident while enjoying a dream holiday.

Mum Aysha Frade, 43, is believed to have been picking up her children from school when she was killed in the deadly terror attack, which saw a maniac mow down pedestrians in a 4×4 before stabbing a policeman to death.

While tourist Kurt Cochran from Utah was killed while on the bridge with his wife Melissa Payne Cochran as they enjoyed an anniversary trip.

She remains in hospital with a broken leg, rib and a cut to her head but is expected to recover from her injuries.

Aysha, who worked as a teacher at a school close to Westminster Bridge, is believed to have been thrown under a bus in the attack.

The mum-of-two is understood to have taught at nearby DLD College.

The policeman killed in the attack has been named PC Keith Palmer.

This morning Theresa May told the House of Commons the attacker, shot by cops outside Parliament, was British born and known to secret services having previously been investigated for violent extremism.

She told MPs he was a "peripheral" figure, adding "He was not part of the current intelligence picture".

Mrs May also revealed that authorities had no prior intelligence of the plot.

Isis has claimed the extremist was a "soldier of the Islamic state".

Mark Rowley, national lead for Counter Terrorism Policing and Met Acting Deputy Commissioner confirmed that three innocent victims died in yesterday's atrocity.

He said 29 victims are being treated in hospital, with seven in a critical condition.

Events As They Happened

- Lone wolf attacker mowed down crowds of pedestrians in 4x4 on Westminster Bridge
- He then crashed into gate outside Houses of Parliament before stabbing policeman PC Keith Palmer, 48, to death
- Armed cops put Westminster on lockdown as attack brought London to a standstill yesterday afternoon
- Four people died - including the attacker who was shot by police - and 29 are injured, including seven critical
- Eight people arrested today after six raids at addresses in London, Birmingham and elsewhere
- Cops believe they know the identity of the suspect who was inspired by Islamic terrorism
- The Hyundai used to carry out the attack was hired last Thursday in Birmingham.
- Hero MP Tobias Ellwood attempted to revive PC Palmer but husband and father could not be saved
- Theresa May condemned attack as 'sick and depraved' before holding emergency Cobra meeting
- MPs were locked in House of Commons for five hours

Aysha was born in Britain and had a Portuguese husband called John Frade.

Tributes have been paid to the teacher, who worked at nearby sixth form DLD College, just a few hundred metres from Westminster Bridge.

It is believed she was hit by the attacker's car and thrown under a bus in yesterday's atrocity.

Principal Rachel said: "We are all deeply shocked and saddened at the news that one of the victims yesterday was a member of our staff, Aysha Frade.

"All our thoughts and our deepest sympathies are with her family.

"We will be offering every support we can to them as they try to come to terms with their devastating loss.

"Aysha worked as a member of our administration team at the college.

"She was highly regarded and loved by our students and by her colleagues.

"She will be deeply missed by all of us."

Friends remembered the "angel" on social media, with Aysha's Spanish relatives reported to be heading to the UK.

The mum-of-two was believed to be picking her two kids, aged 8 and 11, up from school when she was killed.

Tributes have been paid to Aysha by devastated friends and colleagues.

Aysha was married to husband John Frade and had two children.

Aysha and her husband John lived in London, where she worked at a sixth form college.

PC Keith Palmer was stabbed to death by a suspected terrorist outside the Palace of Westminster.

Paying tribute to Aysha on Social media Ramon Tombo Bastida wrote: "Wonderful lovely woman. We will all sadly miss you. RIP Aysha."

Begonia Lopez Martinez said: "There is a new angel in the sky... One amazing, extraordinary angel... Going to miss you!!! RIP lovely & wonderful Aysha."

Aysha is believed to have been killed as she went to pick up her children aged eight and 11 from school.

Part of Aysha's family are from Betanzos, near the Spanish city La Coruna, where her elder sisters run at a language academy.

People in the town said Aysha regularly visited the area, the birthplace of her mum, and had other friends and family in the area.

A friend in Betanzos said: “She loved coming here and spending time with friends and relatives.”

Today a minute's silence was due to be held in the town at midday on Thursday.

Her maiden name is said to have been Aysha Ahmet Caldelas.

Forensic teams in Westminster and hundreds of cops have been drafted in to help the investigation.

Police officers in forensics suits searched the grass on Parliament Square gardens outside the Houses of Parliament.

Armed police in Birmingham raided by cops late last night as eight were arrested across the UK.

Police have said that eight people were arrested as they raided six properties in Birmingham.

It is believed the car used in the attack was rented from the Enterprise branch in Solihill.

PM Theresa May said we will 'never give in to terror' following Westminster attack.

Andres Hermida, a local councillor in Betanzos, said on Thursday: “Betanzos has suffered a terrible blow because of the scourge of terrorism."

Several relatives were travelling from Spain to Britain on Thursday.

On Thursday devastated family paid tribute to American victim Kurt Cochran, remembering him as a “husband, son and friend”, saying it was a “heart-wrenching” loss.

In a tribute on social media, friend Shantell Payne wrote: “With a heavy heart I must pass the sad news of our beautiful brother, father, husband, son and friend Kurt Cochran, he could not overcome the injuries he received in the London terror attacks.

“This pain is so heart wrenching and raw it has rocked our family and all that knew him to its core.

It is believed that the man, from Utah, had been knocked off Westminster Bridge and onto a concrete underpass below.

He had been travelling through Europe, most recently visiting Germany, Ireland and Scotland according to his Facebook page.

Kurt Cochran died after falling from the bridge in yesterday's attack.

Melissa Payne Cochran was also injured and remains in hospital but is expected to recover.

Tributes have also been paid to PC Keith Palmer, who had also served in the army for more than a decade.

Top anti-terror officer Mark Rowley said of his colleague: "He was someone who left for work today expecting to return home at the end of his shift - and he had every right to expect that would happen."

A friend, who revealed he had once saved her life, described PC Palmer as a "wonderful dad and husband".

Conservative MP James Cleverly, who served with PC Palmer in the army, called for him to receive a posthumous award in parliament this morning.

He had earlier described PC Palmer as a "a lovely man" and "a friend" saying "I'm heartbroken".

Well-wishers have raised £20,000 for the hero cop as almost 30 fundraising pages were set up in the aftermath of the attack.

In a message to Scotland Yard, which the Queen had been due to open today, Her Majesty said: "My thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy are with all those who have been affected by yesterday's awful violence".

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