London attack: Thames fall woman's partner planned to propose

  • Published
Media caption,

Andreea Cristea is in a stable condition in hospital, the Romanian ambassador said

The woman pushed from Westminster Bridge during Wednesday's attack was due to receive a marriage proposal the same day, the BBC has learned.

Romanian tourist Andreea Cristea, 29, was in London with partner Andrei Burnaz to celebrate his birthday, when she was hurled into the Thames.

She remains unconscious in a London hospital, the Romanian ambassador, Dan Mihalache, told BBC News.

He described her condition as "stable, but in a good direction".

"It's a miracle she survived," he told BBC News on Friday. "She was practically thrown into the Thames."

Mr Mihalache said he thought the attacker's car had mounted the pavement and hit Mr Burnaz first, before pushing Ms Cristea into the Thames.

"That's quite dramatic," he said. "We hope that all will be okay. In the end she survived, she was strong enough."

It was previously not known whether she had jumped to escape the car or had been hit and knocked into the water.

Image source, Family handout
Image caption,

Ms Cristea's boyfriend, Andrei Burnaz, was also injured by the attacker's car

Both Mr Burnaz and Ms Cristea come from the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta.

A friend of Ms Cristea said she had spoken to them on the phone just before they crossed the bridge. They had been going to meet friends at the other end, she said.

In Constanta, a work colleague of Mr Burnaz, Simona Bitoiu, described him as "a brilliant guy, very clever, very good at his work".

She added: "There has also been great solidarity from the Romanian community in Britain.

"We hope and pray that they will get better and come back to Constanta soon, safe and sound, to get married here."

After being rescued from the water, Ms Cristea had an operation for a blood clot on her brain. Mr Burnaz sustained a broken foot.

Her family, who are now in London, have asked for privacy as she recovers and Mr Mihalache said he would not issue more statements on their behalf.

Ms Cristea was among around 50 people from at least 12 countries who were injured in the attack, 31 of whom needed hospital treatment.