A Romanian architect who fell into the Thames during the London Westminster attack has died, according to UK police.
Andreea Cristea is the fifth victim of the attack on 22 March, in which Khalid Masood drove into crowds on Westminster Bridge then stabbed a policeman to death, before being shot dead.
Cristea, 31, who was on holiday with boyfriend Andrei Burnaz, had been in hospital since the attack. It has since emerged that Burnaz had been planning to propose during the day out.
Her family 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.
“She will always be remembered as our shining ray of light that will forever keep on shining in our hearts.”
The family said they were “deeply touched and eternally grateful” to the “never-ending dedication” of the medical staff who treated Cristea, saying their “kindness and empathy are beyond compare”.
“There are no words to even begin to describe the crushing pain and emptiness that is left in our hearts,” they added.
Burnaz, who sustained a broken foot in the attack, visited Westminster Bridge last week to lay a single white rose.
The couple were in London to celebrate Burnaz’s birthday and he had been planning to propose to Cristea that day, Romania’s UK ambassador Dan Mihalaches aid.
He said it was thought Masood’s car had mounted the pavement and hit Burnaz, before pushing Cristea into the Thames.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was “deeply saddened to hear of the death of Andreea Cristea”.
He tweeted: “Londoners hold her & her loved ones in our thoughts today.”
Six people injured in the attack remain in hospital.