First picture of Westminster terror survivor in hospital after husband killed in attack

Recovering: Melissa Cochran in hospital following the Westminster attack
Clint Payne/PA Wire

A survivor of the Westminster Bridge attack which claimed her husband’s life smiles defiantly today as her family said: “She’s getting stronger every day.”

Melissa Cochran suffered terrible injuries when British-born terrorist Khalid Masood, 52, drove a rented car at 76mph through crowds outside Parliament. Three pedestrians were killed, including her husband Kurt, 54.

Her family has thanked well-wishers for the “outpouring of love and generosity” she has received. Images of Mrs Cochran, 46, recovering in a London hospital were posted on a GoFundMe page today set up to raise money for her and her children.

In one, she stands on crutches, with her leg sheathed in a brace and a gash visible on her forehead. In another she can be seen smiling surrounded by her parents Dimmon and Sandra Payne and brother Clint Payne as she lies in bed speaking to relatives by phone.

Clint said: “Her health is steadily improving and she has been strengthened by the presence of her family. She is so grateful for the outpouring of love and generosity.”

Kurt Cochran, of Utah, who was killed in the Westminster terror attack, pictured with his wife Melissa.

The couple, who were visiting London from the US to celebrate 25 years of marriage, were enjoying the final day of a trip of a lifetime when they were caught up in the atrocity. Mrs Cochran was left with a broken leg and rib and a badly cut head. She was comforted on the pavement in one of the defining images of the attack.

Relatives realised the couple were involved after seeing Mrs Cochran hurt in photographs posted online.

Clint said: “The most difficult part of all of this is that Kurt is no longer with us, and we miss him terribly. He was an amazing individual who loved everyone and tried to make the world a better place.”

The GoFundMe appeal has raised more than £56,000 since the attack on Wednesday last week.

Road to recovery: Melissa Cochran in hospital

Masood, who stabbed unarmed Pc Keith Palmer, 48, to death in Parliament’s New Palace Yard before being killed, is understood to have been shot dead by one of Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon’s close protection team, which was waiting for the minister outside Parliament.

Today, Sir Michael signalled that a security clampdown could result in new restrictions on the public accessing parts of the parliamentary estate. He made clear a review would probe whether more armed officers are needed to protect Westminster and whether public access needed to be cut back to ensure MPs’ safety.

Tributes for Westminster & Parliament Attack

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He also rejected criticism of Theresa May’s close protection team, stressing that the officers had taken her out of Parliament “extremely quickly”.

Two reviews of security at Westminster are under way following the attack. The first, an external independent review, will examine the perimeter security of the parliamentary estate, including out-buildings. The second will focus on how Parliament responded to the incident. Armed police have this week been visibly deployed at the Carriage Gates, through which Masood ran.

The body of Pc Palmer will lie in rest at Westminster’s St Mary Undercroft chapel ahead of his funeral — an honour normally reserved for heads of state. The father of one will be the first person to lie at the 13th-century chapel since Margaret Thatcher in 2013. His funeral will be held at Southwark Cathedral on April 10.

A 30-year-old man arrested in Birmingham last week on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts was still being questioned in London today.

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