Tragedy of the Woman Behind the Mask (London Bombing)

Daily Mail (UK) ^ | 7/11/2005 | n/a

[Pyro7480]

Tragedy of the woman behind the mask

A brave survivor whose suffering symbolised the horror of the London terrorist attacks lost her mother just a month before the bombings, it has emerged. Davinia Turrell was photographed clutching a surgical burns mask to her face as she stumbled from the carnage near Edgware Road Tube station.

A picture of her, bloodied and barefoot and still clinging to her handbag, will forever be one of the iconic images of the atrocity.

But as the young barrister's full identity was revealed today, it emerged that just weeks ago her mother, Sharon, died after a long illness.

The 24-year-old's father, David, told the Daily Mail: "I lost my wife last month and now this has happened to my daughter."

'Dramatic improvement'

Meanwhile Davinia's sister, Louise Wells, says Davinia is getting better every day and has made a "dramatic improvement".

Speaking publicly for the first time, Louise Wells described the improvement in her condition and said she was even "laughing and joking" again.

Mrs Wells, 29, said: "She is doing great, she is doing really well - every day there is an improvement.

"She has started to laugh and joke again. She is a very kind person, caring and constantly worried about other people. She is more worried about the other people in the accident than herself."

Speaking at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Mrs Wells said Davinia had suffered burns to the left side of her face, some of which were superficial and some more serious.

She went on to praise the quick-thinking of former firefighter Paul Dadge, 28, who was pictured helping Davinia to safety after spotting her standing alone on a street corner.

"Davinia would like to thank him a lot and not just that, we would like to thank him, my dad, myself - he is a fantastic guy," Mrs Wells said.

"I would like to thank him for calming her down and keeping her calm. He was amazing. Some time in the future Davinia would like to see him but at this moment in time she is still very nervous, but she would like to meet him one day."

On Saturday, Miss Turrell said the good wishes of so many people were giving her solace.

And she thanked emergency workers for their heroic efforts in the aftermath of the explosion.

Stable in hospital

A statement issued by her family said: "We would like to thank everyone for the concern that they have shown for Davinia and thank all those who helped both Davinia and ourselves through this time of crisis.

"We would like to give particular thanks to all the emergency services, and the people that work for them, for their assistance and support following Thursday's tragedy.

"Davinia is currently stable in hospital and is resting quietly.

"We are thankful for the well-wishers, but ask that Davinia's privacy is respected and that she is allowed to get the rest that she requires to get better.

"It has meant a lot to Davinia that we can take solace in all the support and encouragement that has been offered."

Former fireman Paul Dadge, 28, who was pictured helping Miss Turrell to safety, had spotted her standing alone on a street corner after she escaped the blast.

He said: "She was really brave. A lot of people were complaining about their burns but she didn't.

"Davinia had serious burns to the right side of her face and left leg and her tights had been badly burned. She had lacerations to her head, and we managed to find a gel pack for her face.

"I helped her across the road to a hotel where they had set up a casualty centre.

"I spoke to her very briefly, we didn't have much time. I applied some dressings to her burns before she was taken off to hospital and I told her good luck.

"I'd love to get in touch with her and find out how she is. I just hope that she's OK."

[Pyro7480]

This is an undated photo made available by her family, of Davinia Turrell, the survivor of the London bombings, who has become known as 'the woman in the mask', who has made a 'dramatic improvement', according to her sister Louise Wells, speaking in London Monday July 11, 2005. Davinia Turrell, 24, was photographed clutching a surgical burns mask to her face as she stumbled from the carnage near Edgware Road tube station, and those pictures of her, bloodied and barefoot and still clinging to her handbag, has become one of the iconic images of the atrocity.(AP Photo/ Success Photography-pa)

Injured tube passengers walk away from Edgware Road Tube Station in London following an explosion, Thursday July 7, 2005. An explosion destroyed a double-decker bus in central London during rush hour Thursday, police said. Two other blasts also went off in other buses, reports said. There were reports of casualties. The explosion near Russell Square occurred not long after blasts on London subways earlier Thursday, police said. Dow Jones Newswires reported that police confirmed explosions on at least two others buses. One of the buses exploded near Russell Square, police said. A witness said the entire top deck of that bus was destroyed. (AP Photo/ Jane Mingay)

Walking wounded being treated at the London Hilton Metropole on Edgware Road Thursday July 7, 2005. Near simultaneous explosions rocked the London subway and three double-decker buses at the morning rush hour Thursday, police and news reports said, injuring some people and prompting officials to shut down the entire underground transport network. Some media reports said there were fatalities. (AP Photo / Edmond Terakopian/PA)

[FarmerW]

Prayers for Davinia.

[Pyro7480]

Ping!

[Millee]

Pretty lady. Times of crisis often bring out the best in people.

[MizSterious]

Thanks for posting this. Some freepers (shame on 'em) were making fun of the mask on the day of the bombing.

[Integrityrocks]

Its hard to get it to sink into our hearts that God allows suffering as an opportunity for our greater virtues to be tested and glorified. This young woman and the man who helped her, have proven they have virtues now glorified in the eyes of God and man forever. God Bless them.

[cweese]

Some freepers (shame on 'em) were making fun of the mask on the day of the bombing

Idiots. Trolls, perhaps?

[FormerLib]

Probably some disruptor from DU. That's about their level.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Thanks for posting this. Some freepers (shame on 'em) were making fun of the mask on the day of the bombing.

In what way?

[MizSterious]

Comments, graphics comparing her to "The Scream" etc. The Admin Moderators removed some or possibly all of it.

[frogjerk]

Comments, graphics comparing her to "The Scream" etc. The Admin Moderators removed some or possibly all of it.

Yep, I saw it too. Uncompassionate jerks.

[AnAmericanMother]

Idiots.

even if they didn't know a burn dressing when they saw one, they should have seen that it was obviously pre-prepared and therefore anticipated for - and used - to treat a serious condition.

Plastic surgery has come so far in recent years, there's every prospect of a complete healing for this brave lady.

Perhaps somebody could start a fund for her to get the proper treatment "off the Health" ASAP?

[MortMan]

She is more worried about the other people in the accident than herself.

Accident?

[HereInTheHeartland]

I now, fully understand the motivation of those who headed out on the Crusades centuries ago.

[Pyro7480]

It is a direct quote. We know what she meant.

[WIladyconservative]

Quite a brave young woman - losing her mother recently and all.

God bless her and heal her.

[McGavin999]

Prayers for this courageous woman. I hope the medical staff can heal her burns and there will be no scarring.

[mercy]

This is what happens when you make your country a haven for islamofascist filth.

[MortMan]

I know it was a direct quote, and I understood what was probably meant. I was simply trying to point out that we must be careful not to look at these acts of war as if they were unfortunate accidents. Prayers for the victims, who are not combatants from the civilized point of view. But we must not be folled into believing that the bombings were anything short of acts of undeclared war.

I apologize if my more cryptic post was lacking in its context and meaning.

[RedwineisJesus]

"""Former fireman Paul Dadge, 28, who was pictured helping Miss Turrell to safety said:
"Davinia had serious burns to the left leg and her tights had been badly burned." """

That, besides her being pretty, further explains why he was so desperetly trying to locate her few days later.

With a brand spanking new pair of tights in hand, I'm sure.