The first victim statement is written by a mum whose six-month-old baby was among the victims.
She said: « I sustained physical injuries during the collision, including a crushed foot which required me to wear a medical boot for an extended period.
« While I am no longer in the boot, my foot remains extremely tender and painful, and I live in constant fear of it being injured again, especially in crowded places. The physical vulnerability is compounded by the psychological trauma I continue to experience.
« I have been diagnosed with PTSD and suffer persistent symptoms that affect my day-to-day functioning. I relive the moment of the collision repeatedly, especially the terrifying image of my pram being struck and taken by the car, with my 6-month-old baby inside.
« The horror of not knowing whether he was alive or dead in that instant will haunt me forever. »She also said: « Triggers are everywhere. Sirens and flashing blue lights now cause a panic and distress. Seeing a car of the same make, model and colour as the one involved in this incident brings on flashbacks and sleepless nights.
« Crowded environments such as our recent trip to London, a concert and football match have all been extremely difficult to navigate, these situations mirror the chaos and atmosphere of the parade and its aftermath, and they often leave me feeling overwhelmed and unsafe.
« Even hearing the Liverpool accent, which I associate with police calls and the location of the incident can trigger anxiety and physical symptoms like dizziness and a racing heart. I do not live locally so the accent is now tied exclusively to traumatic memories.
« Being new parents adds another layer of pressure, and milestones with our son, such as his first crawl, are bittersweet.
« I often reflect on how close we came to losing him and I feel immense gratitude that he survived. I hold him tighter and love him harder, knowing how easily he could have been taken away. »
Source link

