London terror attack: Army veteran who tried to save PC Keith Palmer describes ‘traumatic’ experience
'I remember thinking as it happened there was a very real risk that he might have a suicide vest,' Captain Mike Crofts tells The Independent
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An Army veteran who was one of the first to rush to the aide of murdered police officer Keith Palmer has told how his military training kicked in as he heard gunshots outside parliament.
"I recognised the sound," Captain Mike Crofts told The Independent. "I knew it was very close, and obviously I saw it was very close.
“Initially we took cover, I remember thinking as it happened there was a very real risk that he might have a suicide vest.”
Captain Crofts, who completed two tours in Afghanistan, then rushed to the injured officer's aid.
“We tried to open his airway, I put him in the recovery position. I tried to do an assessment of the casualty - my experience in Afghanistan taught me it is really important to get timely information and get control of the situation and I realised I was the person there to have experience of that,” he said.
“I was very specific with the police that we needed air support straight away. Five to 10 minutes later the helicopter arrived - it felt like much longer. The team were continuing to administer CPR, they could not have tried more to save him.”
Despite his best efforts, PC Palmer passed away from the wounds he sustained from Khalid Masood's knife attack. Masood, 52, also died after he was shot by police.
Captain Crofts said that his military training meant he has developed certain “coping mechanisms”. However, he said he was “in shock” after the “traumatic” experience.
“It was shocking and tragic," he said. "No one wants to see that or witness that, it’s really just a deeply, deeply sad event for the families who have lost loved ones.
“Having been in the army, I’ve got a lot of military friends who understand what this is like, and I have also experienced this before, so I have certain coping mechanisms.”
Captain Crofts now runs the 3 Pillars Project, a charity that works to engage young men in prisons through sport to give them more positive male role models.
His experiences in Afghanistan and his charity work have led him to believe a lot of the drivers for extremism and gang activity are the same, and he is calling for better support to be made available in the community to combat isolation and a lack of positive role models.
“People will say there is a simple solution - security and police must do better - but it isn't about them. It’s about our communities and our societies supporting each other,” he said.
At least 50 people were injured in the attack and 31 needed hospital treatment. It is believed 29 people remain in hospital, five of whom are in a critical condition and two have life threatening injuries.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments