Eyewitness saw policeman stabbed and attacker shot outside House of Commons in Westminster

An eye-witness to the terrorist attack in New Palace Yard said the assailant pushed the policeman to the floor before 'swinging' at him with a knife.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Mar 2017, 16:31 GMT
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 10:44 GMT
Paramedics on the scene outside the Houses of Parliament where an incident is unfolding, March 22 2107. See National News story NNCOMMONS; Police have reportedly shot a knifeman who stabbed an officer. The House of Parliament has been locked down after the as two men are being treated inside the grounds. Pictures from the scene appear to show a car crashed into railings outside the building just before 3pm. George Eaton tweeted: "Police have just shot a man who was attacking officers at parliament's entrance." SUS-170322-153855003Paramedics on the scene outside the Houses of Parliament where an incident is unfolding, March 22 2107. See National News story NNCOMMONS; Police have reportedly shot a knifeman who stabbed an officer. The House of Parliament has been locked down after the as two men are being treated inside the grounds. Pictures from the scene appear to show a car crashed into railings outside the building just before 3pm. George Eaton tweeted: "Police have just shot a man who was attacking officers at parliament's entrance." SUS-170322-153855003
Paramedics on the scene outside the Houses of Parliament where an incident is unfolding, March 22 2107. See National News story NNCOMMONS; Police have reportedly shot a knifeman who stabbed an officer. The House of Parliament has been locked down after the as two men are being treated inside the grounds. Pictures from the scene appear to show a car crashed into railings outside the building just before 3pm. George Eaton tweeted: "Police have just shot a man who was attacking officers at parliament's entrance." SUS-170322-153855003

Reporter Patrick Daly’s office overlooks the green in front of Parliament and said he heard a “bang” before “screaming”.

He looked out of his window expecting to see an injured construction worker, but instead saw a “stampede” of people running from Westminster Bridge.

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The Parliamentary correspondent for the Bristol Post said he saw the attack unfold, before the assailant was shot to the ground.

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He said: “People were running in floods, almost like a stampede, from Westminster Bridge and away from Parliament Square.

“The next thing I saw was one of the policeman who guard the car gate into New Palace Yard being confronted by a man.

“At first, I wasn’t sure if the man was scared and looking for refuge, but then it turned violent.

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“The policeman was shoved back and then pushed to the floor, in front of a metal barrier before the green.

“He started lunging at the policeman on the floor.

“It was unclear to me what was being carried in the man’s hands but he made swinging, stab-like motions at the policeman while he lay on the floor.

“It now appears the policeman was being stabbed with a knife.”

He said police ran to help their colleague while another armed officer “slowly” approached the attacker.

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“There seemed to be some kind of verbal shouts between them before the armed officer fired off two to three shots causing the attacker to crumple to the floor,” he added.

Patrick said the building is now on lockdown, and he has been asked to stay away from the windows.