Three women from Wimmera, in rural Victoria, living in London have shared their reaction to a terrorist attack in the city.
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Four people are dead and the British Parliament remains in lockdown after a terrorist attack in central London, in which a car mowed down a number of pedestrians and a police officer was stabbed outside the parliament.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed four people had been killed in the chaotic incident, including the stabbed police officer and the attacker.
At least 20 other people are still being treated for injuries, some of which are described as "catastrophic", after what appears to be a multi-pronged attack in the British capital using both a car and knife.
Former Horsham sisters Alix and Jordan Parkinson are living in London on five-year work visas.
Jordan said she and her sister heard the breaking news on TV.
They had planned to visit central London that day, but changed their minds.
“Our initial reaction was concern for all involved and relief that we hadn't gone into central London today,’’ Jordan said.
Alix has been in London for eight months, and Jordan three months.
“It definitely won't stop us from going into the city in the future,’’ Jordan said.
“Unfortunately these things can happen no matter where you are, and we plan on making the most of our time here.’’
Wimmera woman Lauren Simpson didn’t know about the attack until she saw other people check in on Facebook to say they were safe.
“I hadn't heard about it all beforehand, being a teacher who doesn't look at the news until after 5pm,’’ she said.
Miss Simpson was in south London at the time, away from the attack.
“Initially my first reaction was shock and then concern for my safety as I am flying back to Australia next week,’’ she said.
Miss Simpson said terrorism had become a concern for her since Donald Trump took the presidency in the United States and since Brexit.
“Attacks like this always change the way I look at things, due to them being so close to me,’’ she said.
“London is a generally safe place but I forget that these things can happen.’’
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that no Australians had been identified as being involved.
London terrorist attack: What we know and what we don't know
Police investigations are ongoing into an attack in London on Wednesday. Here's what we do and don't know at this stage.
What we know:
- A multi-pronged attack in London has claimed the lives of four people on Wednesday, including that of the suspected attacker.
- The attack began when a vehicle hit a number of people on the Westminster Bridge in central London just after 2.30pm.
- The car then crashed outside the parliament, and man got out of the vehicle and ran through the parliament gates, before stabbing a police officer.
- The assailant was shot by police and has since died from his injuries.
- Attempts were made to resuscitate the police offer by first responders and by Tory MP Tobias Ellwood, but he passed away. At least two other civilians have also died as a result of the attack.
- At least 20 people were injured in the attack, many on Westminster Bridge. One woman was pulled alive but suffering serious injuries from the River Thames. She is believed to have jumped or fallen into the water as the attack unfolded.
- Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that no Australians had been identified as being involved.
What we don't know
- The identity of the attacker is not yet known. Police also would not say if he was known to them already.
- The motive for the attack. While the attack has many of the hallmarks of an Islamic State-directed or inspired attack, there is no evidence yet as to what what motivated the assailant. Neither IS or other terror groups have claimed responsibility.
- Whether the assailant acted alone. Police assistant commissioner Mark Rowley said police were working on the presumption the man was the sole attacker, but investigations were continuing.
– with The Age
Cassandra Dalgleish
Digital specialist at the Bendigo Advertiser, via Wimmera Mail-Times, Stawell Times-News and Ararat Advertiser. Formerly a news journalist and sub-editor. I do the behind-the-scenes work to help journalists bring their stories to life online.
Digital specialist at the Bendigo Advertiser, via Wimmera Mail-Times, Stawell Times-News and Ararat Advertiser. Formerly a news journalist and sub-editor. I do the behind-the-scenes work to help journalists bring their stories to life online.
