THE wife of a taxi driver who escaped a bomb blast outside a hospital says it is a “miracle” he’s alive.
David Perry was seen staggering from the cab after it exploded just before 11am yesterday at the entrance of Liverpool Women’s Hospital.
Just seconds later it was engulfed in a fireball that killed the terrorist carrying a homemade bomb.
David’s wife has now given an update on his condition as he recovers from his injuries at home.
What we know so far…
In a Facebook post, Rachel Perry said: “I would just like to thank each and every one of you who have messaged asking how David is.
“He is doing OK but is extremely sore and just trying to process what happened.”
She said there are “a lot of rumours flying round” but is “without doubt, lucky to be alive”.
Rachel also told how it was an “utter miracle” he managed to escape the car before it was engulfed in flames.
Dramatic footage showed the taxi explode in a cloud of smoke and debris seconds after arriving at the hospital.
Driver David can be seen leaping from the taxi in a daze and rushing away from the thick smoke.
Read our Liverpool explosion live blog for the latest updates
Moments later, flames begin shooting from the shattered wreckage of the vehicle.
Boris Johnson today praised the cabbie, saying he acted with “incredible presence of mind and bravery”.
Police confirmed today the horror is being treated as a terror incident.
Cops believe they know the identity of the bomber – who died in the blast – but no details have so far been released.
He was not on any MI5 watchlist and is believed to be from the Middle East, The Telegraph reports.
Three suspects – aged 29, 26 & 21 – were arrested yesterday under the Terrorism Act.
A fourth man, 20, was held today by officers with all four suspects to be quizzed by counter-terrorism officers this afternoon.
Describing the timeline of events, assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson, Counter Terrorism North West, said the bomber was picked up in Rutland Avenue just before 11am.
He then asked to be taken to Liverpool Women’s Hospital, which is around ten minutes away.
As the taxi approached the hospital, the explosion tore through the car and engulfed it in a fireball – killing him and injuring cabbie David.
Officers are still trying to establish a motive for the terror blast and said the investigation is “continuing at pace”.
ACC Jackson said they “cannot at this time draw any connection” with Remembrance Sunday events nearby but confirmed it is a line of inquiry.
The officer added: “Remarkably, the taxi driver, escaped from the cab. He has been treated for the injuries he sustained and has now been released from hospital.
“Emergency services quickly attended the scene and Merseyside Fire and Rescue put out the fire following which it quickly became apparent that the passenger remained in the vehicle and was deceased.
“It is not clear what the motivation for this incident is.
“Our enquiries indicate that an improvised explosive device has been manufactured and our assumption so far is that this was built by the passenger in the taxi.
“The reason why he then took it to the Women’s Hospital is unknown, as is the reason for its sudden explosion.
“Although, the motivation for this incident is yet to be understood, given all the circumstances, it has been declared a terrorist incident and Counter Terrorism Policing are continuing with the investigation.”
The officer confirmed two addresses in the city have been searched as a result of the investigation.
Three of the suspects were arrested yesterday at Sutcliffe Street in the Kensington area of Liverpool, while today’s arrest was made in the same area.
Cops have found “significant items” at a home searched in Rutland Avenue with eight families living nearby evacuated.
ACC Jackson said he believes the arrested men are “associates” of the taxi passenger.
They are now looking at telephone records and purchases made by the terrorist, who has been linked to both addresses being searched.
Sharon Cullen was evacuated with her family last night as armed cops swooped on her street.
She said: “The police pounded on my door and an officer said ‘we need to get you out of the house as soon as possible’.
“They said ‘whatever is going on at the back of the house, it could blow the block’.
“It was really frightening.”
Merseyside Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said there is no “specific threat” to the area but patrols will be ramped up.
She also urged people to “remain calm” but “vigilant and alert”.
Boris Johnson today praised the cabbie, saying he acted with “incredible presence of mind and bravery”.
The PM chaired an emergency Cobra meeting following the blast as Britain’s terror threat was raised to “severe”.
He said “the British people will never be cowed by terrorism”, adding: “We will never give in to those who seek to divide us with senseless acts of violence.”
Liverpool Women’s Hospital featured on hit Channel 4 series One Born Every Minute and sees 500,000 patients a year.
The hospital — where Coleen Rooney gave birth to her four sons — has around 1,350 staff who work there.
Anyone with information can call police on 0161 856 1027 quoting Liverpool Womens Hospital incident.
