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As it happenedended

London attack: Four people dead and 20 injured in Westminster terror incident

Samuel Osborne
Wednesday 22 March 2017 19:00 GMT
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A body is covered by a sheet outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after a policeman was stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament
A body is covered by a sheet outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after a policeman was stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament (PA)

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Four people were killed in the Westminster terror attack, police have confirmed.

The number includes the police officer who was stabbed and his attacker, Scotland Yard's top anti-terror officer Mark Rowley said.

The other two victims are understood to have died on the bridge, he added.

He also said at least 20 people had been injured.

Parliament goes into lockdown after Westminster attack

Mr Rowley also said police believed there to have been only one suspect, although he said they were carrying out thorough checks.

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 a policeman before he was shot by armed officers.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of terror when gunfire rang out as the attacker approached a second officer within yards of the Houses of Parliament.

Mr Rowley told reporters outside New Scotland Yard: "This was a day we've planned for but hoped would never happen. Sadly it is now a reality."

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.

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The incident is clearly not over. Independent politics reporter Jon Stone says police are still concerned about a suspect vehicle near parliament  0e15906d-1d98-4259-afd1-a0a6771782fc.jpg

Police saying there’s a suspect vehicle near Parliament, some have been allowed to leave. Crowds being moved away from Parliament Square

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Cordon around Parliament is being extended, police shouting at people to get back

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Andrew Griffin22 March 2017 15:42

The air ambulance has now taken off from #Westminster . Police helicopter overhead http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7iIhanX0AER3iK.jpg

Lizzie Dearden22 March 2017 15:42

Mr Buck said he saw the car hit gates to the Houses of Parliament and someone underneath 'looking pretty bad' before armed police ran in

Lizzie Dearden22 March 2017 15:43

The air ambulance that arrived soon after the event has now left the scene, reportedly carrying the man who was shot by officers.

Andrew Griffin22 March 2017 15:45

Another person tried to help the man under the car, Mr Buck said, but emergency services arrived: 'I've never seen such a quick response'

Lizzie Dearden22 March 2017 15:45

Steve Voake, 55, was walking across the Westminster Bridge towards the South Bank when he saw the aftermath. He said he saw at least two bodies lying on the road and one in the water."I saw a trainer lying in the road and when I looked more closely I saw that there were a couple of bodies the other side of the road," he told the Press Association. "And when I looked over the side there was another body lying in the water with blood all around it."

Andrew Griffin22 March 2017 15:45

Only yesterday Parliament’s head of security told Home Affairs Committee MPs were in “very good position” in terms of security in parliament http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7iJQgEXUAEkyTQ.jpg

Jon Stone22 March 2017 15:46

Mr Buck said he was terrified and tried to push his wife and friends behind concrete barriers #Westminster

Lizzie Dearden22 March 2017 15:47

Police are now covering the body on the cobbles in two big grey blankets. Very clear whoever under them is dead. Still don't know who.

peterwalker9922 March 2017 15:47

I’m not saying that isn’t the case, to be clear - it appears at this stage security has protected MPs

Jon Stone22 March 2017 15:47

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