Four people have been confirmed dead and at least 20 people injured on Westminster Bridge in central London in what police are treating as a terrorist attack.

A police officer was also stabbed in the nearby Houses of Parliament by an attacker, who was shot by police.

The attacker struck several pedestrians as he drove a car across the bridge, before crashing it into railings.

A doctor at St Thomas’ Hospital said a number of other people were hurt – some with “catastrophic” injuries.

Junior doctor Colleen Anderson from St Thomas’ said she also said she treated a police officer in his 30s with a head injury, who had been taken to King’s College Hospital.

Earlier a woman was reported to have died at the scene.

“There were people across the bridge. There were some with minor injuries, some catastrophic,” she added.

“Some had injuries they could walk away from or who have life-changing injuries. There were maybe a dozen [injured].”

MPs said they had heard three or four gunshots and staff inside Parliament were told to stay inside their offices.

Commons Leader David Lidington told MPs the “alleged assailant was shot by armed police”.

A Downing Street source said Prime Minister Theresa May was safe.

The prime minister was seen being ushered into a silver Jaguar car as what sounded like gunfire rang out at Parliament during the incident.

Tom Peck, political editor for the Independent, tweeted: “There was a loud bang. Screams. Commotion. Then the sound of gunshots. Armed police everywhere.”

Press Association political editor Andrew Woodcock witnessed the scenes unfolding from his office window overlooking New Palace Yard.

“I heard shouts and screams from outside and looked out, and there was a group of maybe 40 or 50 people running round the corner from Bridge Street into Parliament Square.

“They appeared to be running away from something.

“As the group arrived at the Carriage Gates, where policemen are posted at the security entrance, a man suddenly ran out of the crowd and into the yard.
“He seemed to be holding up a long kitchen knife.

“I heard what sounded like shots – I think about three of them – and then the next thing I knew there were two people lying on the ground and others running to help them.

“Armed police were quickly on the scene and I heard them shouting to people to get out of the yard.”

source: bbc