Barbara Bachman's Condition Improves Back in Minnesota after Chinese Suicide Attack on Husband

by Christina 123 | August 20, 2008 at 12:58 pm

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Barbara Bachman, the stricken wife of tragic American tourist Todd Bachman who was stabbed to death by a Chinese knifeman in Beijing who then killed himself by hurling himself from the Drum Tower, has made an encouraging recovery, the couple's three daughters have revealed. Mrs. Bachman was also badly attacked, together with the tour guide, and at one stage was in a life-threatening critical condition.

The daughters of Barbara and Todd Bachman, father-in-law of the US ex-volleyball coach, have announced they are deferring the funeral of their father until their mother is well enough to attend.

Barbara Bachman was upgraded to good condition at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester on Tuesday, 10 days after her husband was killed and she was stabbed in the abdomen by an attacker in Beijing.

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, the clinic said: "Mrs. Bachman has made a remarkable recovery given the significance of her injuries. She continues to get stronger each day and as her strength improves she is able to do more."

Barbara Bachman suffered what were described as "significant and life-threatening" injuries when she and her husband, Todd, were attacked by a knife-wielding man during a tour of a historic tower in Beijing on Aug. 9.

The attacker, who apparently was a deranged man, jumped to his death moments later.

Todd Bachman, 62, the CEO of Bachman's Inc., died at the tower, and a tour guide was also injured in the attack. Barbara Bachman, also 62, spent a week in a Beijing hospital before she was transferred to the Mayo Clinic Friday in fair condition. Clinic officials said she had received "excellent care in China."

On Monday, her three daughters issued a statement saying she was "making incredible progress," and was able to walk short distances.