Zanzibar Burns Victims "Well" at Chelsea and Westminster

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While former patient Katie Piper sends sympathy and support

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital has confirmed that Kirstie Trup and Katie Gee, both 18, are "well" after being subjected to an acid attack on Wednesday, August 7 on the island of Zanzibar.

The girls, who were working for three weeks as volunteer teachers on Zanzibar, were attacked by two men on a motorbike as they strolled through the historic centre, Stone Town.

Following the attack, they were flown to Tanzania's economic capital Dar es Salaam for treatment, and then on to London on Friday.

Andy Williams, Consultant Burns and Plastics Surgeon, said: “We can confirm that Katie and Kirstie have been transferred to our care at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital’s burns unit where we are still assessing their injuries.

“Both girls are well and their families are with them. They will be staying at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

“Both families would like to thank everyone that’s helped to bring the girls back.

“The families now wish to have time with the girls and that the media will respect their privacy at this difficult time.”

In a Twitter message sent from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital's specialist burns unit, Katie tweeted : "Thank you for all your support x".

The adult burns service at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is the regional burns centre for London and covers a wide part of the South East. There 13 beds on the unit, of which two are for intensive care.

The hospital says the team includes four consultants dedicated to treating burns, specialist nurses and a full multidisciplinary team including therapists and psychologists, and it also provides care to children with burns.

The unit hit the headlines in 2009 when burns victim Katie Piper, who was also attacked with acid, was treated there and subsequently told her story in a Channel Four documentary called Katie: My Beautiful Face.

She has since set up The Katie Piper Foundation which aims to make life easier for people with burns and scars. The Foundation has tweeted this message about the attack on Katie and Kirstie: " We were so sorry to hear of the attack on these two young women in Zanzibar. We know they will be receiving excellent care in the UK and as and when is appropriate in their recovery, The Katie Piper Foundation will be available to offer them our support."

 

August 10, 2013