The wife of hero taxi driver David Perry has said it’s ‘an utter miracle’ he escaped the terror attack car explosion outside Liverpool Women’s Hospital.
Rachel Perry, in a Facebook post, gave an update on his condition and thanked the emergency services.
She also confirmed that her husband was inside the car when the explosion detonated – and did not lock the passenger who died inside.
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Police have confirmed the identity of the passenger who died in the blast is now known – saying they believe he made the ‘improvised device’ involved.
The man died after a device was set off in the taxi just outside the entrance to the hospital at around 10.59am on Remembrance Sunday – November 14.
His name has not yet been released.
Counter-terror police are leading the investigation and there have been four arrests.
Graphic video footage shows the moment of the explosion and captures Mr Perry, who is believed to work for Delta Taxis in Liverpool, running away amid clouds of smoke and flames.
He has now been released from hospital.
In the post – which is being shared widely on Facebook – Mrs Perry confirms he is ‘doing ok, but is extremely sore and just trying to process what’s happened’.
She thanks ‘each and everyone of you who have messaged asking how David is’.
(Image: PA)
“There are a lot of rumours flying round about him being a hero and locking the passenger inside the car…but the truth of the matter is, he is without doubt, lucky to be alive.
“The explosion happened whilst he was in the car and how he managed to escape is an utter miracle.
“He certainly had some guardian angels looking over him.”
Mrs Perry goes on to thank hospital staff who treated him, police and detectives.
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“We’re so thankful,” she adds.
“The most incomprehensible thing has happened to us and we just want to be able to deal with the situation as best we can.
“Let’s prey this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
Police outlined the latest updates in a press conference this morning.
(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Assistant Chief Constable and Head of Counter Terror North West Unit, Russ Jackson, said it is believed that the passenger made the device which was set off in the car.
He said police’s assumption was that the improvised explosive device “was built by the passenger in the taxi”.
The reason why the device was taken to the Women’s Hospital is unknown, he added, as is the reason for the sudden explosion, which has now been declared as a terrorist incident.
The motive is ‘yet to be understood’ but a fourth man has been arrested under the Terror Act after three were arrested on Sunday.
Officers investigating the explosion ‘cannot at this time draw any connection’ with Remembrance Sunday events near the Women’s Hospital but confirmed ‘it is a line of inquiry’, it was confirmed.
All four suspects remain in custody, the police chief said.
A fundraising appeal – available here – has now topped more than £20,000.
Mr Perry has been praised by the Prime Minister for behaving with ‘incredible presence of mind and bravery’, and lauded for his ‘heroic efforts’ by the mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson.
In the wake of the attack, the UK terror threat level has been raised to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely.
Speaking at a press conference at Downing Street, Boris Johnson said the blast was a ‘stark reminder’ to the public to remain vigilant.
He said: “What yesterday showed above all is that the British people will never be cowed by terrorism, we will never give in to those who seek to divide us with senseless acts of violence.
“And our freedoms and our way of life will always prevail.”
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