Four dead, 20 injured in Westminster terror attack

Four people have died and at least 20 others have been injured after a terror attack in Westminster.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Mar 2017, 18:33 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 11:06 BST
Emergency services transport an injured person to an ambulance, close to the Houses of Parliament in London, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)Emergency services transport an injured person to an ambulance, close to the Houses of Parliament in London, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Emergency services transport an injured person to an ambulance, close to the Houses of Parliament in London, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

A police officer who was stabbed at the Houses of Parliament and his attacker are among the dead, according to Metropolitan Police Acting Deputy Commissioner and Head of Counter Terrorism Mark Rowley.

He said: “Sadly I can confirm that now four people have died and that included the police officer who was protecting Parliament and one man we believe to be the attacker who was shot by a police firearms officer.

“The officer’s family have been made aware.

Emergency personnel on Westminster Bridge, close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after a policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo.Emergency personnel on Westminster Bridge, close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after a policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo.
Emergency personnel on Westminster Bridge, close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after a policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo.

“At least 20 people have been injured.”

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The attacker, armed with two large knives, mowed down pedestrians with his car on Westminster Bridge, including schoolchildren, then rushed at the gates in front of the Houses of Parliament, stabbing the policeman before being shot dead by other officers.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of terror when gunfire rang out as the man approached a second officer.

Scotland Yard’s top anti-terror officer Mark Rowley said the two other fatalities were on the bridge when the terrorist struck. At least 20 other people were injured.

Emergency personnel on Westminster Bridge, close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after a policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo.Emergency personnel on Westminster Bridge, close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after a policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo.
Emergency personnel on Westminster Bridge, close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after a policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo.

Mr Rowley told reporters outside New Scotland Yard, just yards from the scene of the attack: “This was a day we’ve planned for but hoped would never happen. Sadly it is now a reality.”

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Paramedics fought to save the officer’s life and that of his attacker on the floor of the cobbled courtyard in front of Parliament, with Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood among those who rushed to help.

The police officer was wheeled away on a stretcher with his face covered.

Mr Ellwood, who lost his brother in the Bali bombing, could be seen pumping the officer’s chest then standing above him, his hands and face smeared with blood.

Other armed officers, some in plain clothes and wearing balaclavas, swarmed around the yard just feet from where MPs had earlier attended Prime Minister’s Questions.

Related topics:ParamedicsParliament