Westminster terror attacker Khalid Masood killed by a single gunshot to chest

Extremist mounted kerb twice as he rampaged across Westminster Bridge

Khalid Masood was gunned down by an armed police officer after gaining access to the Palace of Westminster grounds (PA)

Westminster terror attacker Khalid Masood was killed by a single gunshot to his chest, an inquest has heard.

The extremist was gunned down by an armed police officer after gaining access to the Palace of Westminster grounds during his rampage on in the heart of political London.

Westminster Coroner's Court heard the Kent-born 52-year-old earlier mounted the kerb twice in a Hyundai car as he sped across Westminster Bridge, killing three people and leaving dozens injured.

He then mounted it a third time, crashing, and then charged into the Palace of Westminster grounds armed with two knives, killing PC Keith Palmer.

In total his attack, which left four people dead, lasted just 82 seconds.

A coroner's officer told the inquest the "provisional cause of death given at the time was a gunshot wound to the chest".

Metropolitan Police Detective Superintendent John Crossley, who is leading the investigation into the attack, told the inquest: "The male attacked a police officer on the ground with two knives, causing grave wounds.

"He was then shot dead by a police officer."

He added Masood was pronounced dead at 3.35pm, around an hour after the attack happened. His body was taken to St Mary's Hospital in Paddington before being moved to a morgue.

Chris Lovatt, operations team leader with the Independent Police Complaints Commission, told the hearing staff from the watchdog had met on Wednesday with Masood's wife Rohey Hydara and his mother Janet Ajao.

The latter previously said she had "shed many tears" for her son's victims.

Before being radicalised and converting to Islam, Masood was known by names including Adrian Ajao and Adrian Elms.

An inquest into his four victims, PC Palmer, 48, American tourist Kurt Cochran, 54, retired window cleaner Leslie Rhodes, 75, and Aysha Frade, 44, was opened and adjourned by Dr Fiona Wilcox.

It heard PC Palmer died despite wearing standard issue body armour.

Adjourning the inquest to next month, senior coroner Dr Wilcox said: "I take a moment to pass my sympathies to the family of Masood, who are also all victims of this incident."

The full inquest is due to be held at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Press Association