Westminster attack: Wife of killed US tourist Kurt Cochran pictured 'getting stronger' in hospital

Melissa and Kurt Cochran were on the last day of their holiday when they were caught in Khalid Masood's rampage

Melissa Cochran, the wife of killed American tourist Kurt Cochran, is recovering from her injuries in hospital (Clint Payne )

The wife of an American tourist killed in the Westminster attack is “getting stronger every day” as she recovers from her injuries in hospital.

Melissa and Kurt Cochran were on the last day of a holiday celebrating their 25th anniversary in London when Khalid Masood ploughed his car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.

Mr Cochran died of his injuries at the scene, while his wife was taken to hospital suffering a broken leg, rib and head injuries.

Melissa Cochran, the wife of killed American tourist Kurt Cochran, is recovering from her injuries in hospital (Clint Payne ) (Clint Payne)

Her brother, Clint Payne, published photos of the 46-year-old in hospital as her treatment continues.

One with the caption “getting stronger every day!” showed Mrs Cochran wearing a hospital gown, standing with the aid of crutches and her leg in a protective frame.

Another showed her on the phone with loved ones in the US, surrounded by family in her hospital bed.

“Talking with loved ones at home is some of the best medicine,” Mr Payne said.

He posted the photos to a GoFundMe page raising money for in the memory of Mr Cochran and for his wife’s treatment and loss of income.

The fund has so far raised more than $75,000 (£60,000) from well-wishers around the world.

Mr Payne said his sister was “so grateful and overwhelmed with your generosity and outpouring of love” and thanked almost 2,000 donors for their kind words and support.

Although the days since the attack had been "humbling and difficult" for the family, he said relatives took comfort from the idea that Mr Cochran focused on "the positive" things in life, adding: "Those of us who knew Kurt in life know that Kurt would not bear ill feelings towards anyone, and we can draw strength as a family from that.

“His whole life was an example of focusing on the positive, not pretending that negative things don't exist, but not living our life in the negative.

"And that's what we choose to do also."

Inquests were opened into the death of Mr Cochran and three other victims of the Westminster attack on Thursday.

He died of injuries sustained in Masood’s car attack on Westminster Bridge, as did British mother Aysha Frade and pensioner Leslie Rhodes.

The suspected Isis supporter then crashed into railings outside the Houses of Parliament, ran into an entrance and stabbed PC Keith Palmer to death, before being shot dead by armed police.

Thousands of people joined hands in a vigil for the victims exactly a week after the attack on Wednesday, while tributes have been paid across the country.

Investigators continue efforts to establish the motive of Masood, a 52-year-old Muslim convert who had a lengthy criminal histroy and lived in areas including Sussex, Birmingham and London.

Isis hailed him as a “soldier of the Islamic State” in its claim of responsibility for the attack but the extent of the group’s involvement remains unclear.

Twelve people have been arrested in connection with the probe but only one remains in custody after a 58-year-old man from Birmingham was released on Wednesday.

A 32-year-old woman from Manchester remains on bail and 10 others arrested were freed with no further action.