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As it happenedended

London attack as it happened: Five dead and 40 injured after terror incident in Westminster

Andrew Griffin,Samuel Osborne
Wednesday 22 March 2017 15:42 GMT
Westminster terror attack: Timeline of events

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A police officer has been stabbed and an alleged assailant shot by armed police outside the Houses of Parliament.

Here's what we know so far:

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load

Commons Leader David Lidington has told MPs a "police officer has been stabbed" and the "alleged assailant was shot by armed police" following a "serious" incident within the parliamentary estate.

Minutes later, an emergency services helicopter landed in Parliament Square, as sirens were heard outside.

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Air ambulance medics came from the helicopter to assist the casualties.

A woman was confirmed dead after a car ploughed into corwds on Westminster Bridge causing multiple casualties
A woman was confirmed dead after a car ploughed into corwds on Westminster Bridge causing multiple casualties (Reuters)

Two people lay on the ground in the yard. One of them appeared to have had clothes removed as emergency workers attempted to resuscitate the pair.

Parliament Square was closed to traffic.

    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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