Crash barrister's organs saved eight patients

"Selfless": Victoria Johnson decided to donate organs only weeks before she died
12 April 2012

The family of a trainee barrister run over on a pedestrian crossing today said their daughter's organs have saved the lives of eight critically ill patients.

Victoria Johnson, 23, never regained consciousness after being hit as Foysal Ali drove through flashing amber lights outside Mile End Tube station.

Her father, David Johnson, today said a "disaster" for his family had saved a number of people, including a one-year-old girl with liver failure who had been days from death.

Only weeks before she was knocked down in January last year, Miss Johnson, a former Nottingham University student, had told her parents she wanted her organs donated in the event of her death. Within hours of the couple's decision to turn off her life-support machine at the Royal London Hospital, her wishes were carried out.

Mr Johnson, from Stradbroke, Suffolk, said: "It was something as a family we had talked about. She was a registered donor and eight people benefited."

Miss Johnson, who had won a coveted training place at Gray's Inn Square chambers, was on her way home to Bow when Ali's car struck her. Ali, 24, a trainee social worker, was speeding at up to 37mph in the 30mph zone and should have "proceeded with caution" at the crossing, a court heard.

The horn on his Ford Ka was also not working, preventing him from warning Miss Johnson. A jury at Snaresbrook crown court on Wednesday convicted Ali of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving. But Judge Alan Pardoe, QC, said: "Having heard all the evidence, the sentence will not be immediate custody." Ali was bailed until next month for pre-sentence reports.

Mr Johnson said the family - including his wife Jennifer, their daughter Katy and son Rob - were not disappointed Ali was not jailed. He said: "The court has done its work... and that is fine. Vicky was training to be a barrister - they are there to test evidence. We have no qualms with the action of the court. There are no winners. It is a disaster for both families."

The Johnsons are understood to have told Ali they bear no resentment and hope he can rebuild his life. A family friend said that while Miss Johnson was deeply missed, "we are comforted that her premature death saved the lives of many others through her typical, selfless organ donations".

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