This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41538762
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
Natural History Museum crash 'not terror-related' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A crash outside a London museum that injured 11 people was not terror-related, police say. | |
A car mounted the pavement outside the Natural History Museum in Exhibition Road, South Kensington, at 14:20 BST. | |
The Metropolitan Police earlier said one person had been arrested and video footage that emerged on Twitter showed a man being restrained on the ground. | |
An update from the force said the incident was now being treated as "a road traffic collision". | |
London Ambulance said the people it treated - including the detained man - had mostly sustained head and leg injuries. Nine were taken to hospital. | |
The Met said none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening or life changing. | |
"The man detained by officers is currently under arrest and is in custody at a north London police station," it said, adding that enquiries were "ongoing". | |
Prime Minister Theresa May tweeted her thanks to first responders and members of the public, adding: "My thoughts are with the injured." | |
London Mayor Sadiq Khan also tweeted his thanks and hopes for a "swift recovery" for those injured. | |
"For Londoners and visitors planning to visit our excellent museums and attractions in the area, please be assured they will be open as usual tomorrow." | |
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: "Very concerning reports from outside the Natural History Museum. My thoughts are with those injured and our thanks to the emergency services." | Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: "Very concerning reports from outside the Natural History Museum. My thoughts are with those injured and our thanks to the emergency services." |
The current terror threat level in the UK is "severe" - the second highest - meaning an attack is highly likely. | The current terror threat level in the UK is "severe" - the second highest - meaning an attack is highly likely. |
BBC reporter Chloe Hayward, who was leaving the Natural History Museum as the incident happened, said she saw a car "diagonally across the road", looking like it had hit a bollard. | BBC reporter Chloe Hayward, who was leaving the Natural History Museum as the incident happened, said she saw a car "diagonally across the road", looking like it had hit a bollard. |
"I could see a crowd of people around what was clearly one or two people on the pavement," she said. | "I could see a crowd of people around what was clearly one or two people on the pavement," she said. |
She then saw armed police arrive within minutes. | She then saw armed police arrive within minutes. |
"We have had lots of police coming onto the scene, helicopters above, and I can see an ambulance which is definitely having someone put in, but it isn't clear how bad that injury is." | "We have had lots of police coming onto the scene, helicopters above, and I can see an ambulance which is definitely having someone put in, but it isn't clear how bad that injury is." |
At the scene | At the scene |
By Dominic Casciani, BBC home affairs correspondent | By Dominic Casciani, BBC home affairs correspondent |
We have been to the south end of Exhibition Road nearest the Tube and the area, normally a busy destination for Saturday afternoon dining by locals and tourists, is deserted. | We have been to the south end of Exhibition Road nearest the Tube and the area, normally a busy destination for Saturday afternoon dining by locals and tourists, is deserted. |
Eyewitnesses told us that police came rushing into each bar and restaurant and told people to get out. | Eyewitnesses told us that police came rushing into each bar and restaurant and told people to get out. |
We can see coats on chairs - some knocked over - half-eaten meals and half-drunk glasses of wine. | We can see coats on chairs - some knocked over - half-eaten meals and half-drunk glasses of wine. |
Police helped one restaurant owner to recover staff belongings, like house keys, because it's unclear when the area will reopen. | Police helped one restaurant owner to recover staff belongings, like house keys, because it's unclear when the area will reopen. |
Exhibition Road is an area popular with tourists as it is home to the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. | Exhibition Road is an area popular with tourists as it is home to the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. |
An eyewitness who was walking to the Science Museum said: "When waiting for the light, we heard what I thought was gunshots and saw a car drive over the pavement. We just ran. My friend dived on the floor and cut her hands." | An eyewitness who was walking to the Science Museum said: "When waiting for the light, we heard what I thought was gunshots and saw a car drive over the pavement. We just ran. My friend dived on the floor and cut her hands." |
The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "When it calmed down we walked back to where we'd been and saw a gentleman on the floor being restrained by police." | The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "When it calmed down we walked back to where we'd been and saw a gentleman on the floor being restrained by police." |
Connor Honeyman, from Essex, who was in the queue for the museum, said: "We heard a horrible thudding noise and a car engine. Everyone started running and screaming inside. | Connor Honeyman, from Essex, who was in the queue for the museum, said: "We heard a horrible thudding noise and a car engine. Everyone started running and screaming inside. |
"We ran in, everyone was following us, and then all the security guards ran out and they closed the main entrance. There was much confusion before the police got there." | "We ran in, everyone was following us, and then all the security guards ran out and they closed the main entrance. There was much confusion before the police got there." |
Joseph Degraff, 23, who is on holiday from Washington DC, was in a cafe on Exhibition Road and said: "We saw a large stampede of people running and thought, 'what's going on?'. | Joseph Degraff, 23, who is on holiday from Washington DC, was in a cafe on Exhibition Road and said: "We saw a large stampede of people running and thought, 'what's going on?'. |
"Someone who works in the cafe said 'get on the ground'. We hit the floor. We were there for a few seconds, then they told everyone to get in the basement. | "Someone who works in the cafe said 'get on the ground'. We hit the floor. We were there for a few seconds, then they told everyone to get in the basement. |
"At that point I thought it was a shooting or a bomb or something. We just didn't know. | "At that point I thought it was a shooting or a bomb or something. We just didn't know. |
"The police told everyone to get out of the cafe and we got out and ran." | "The police told everyone to get out of the cafe and we got out and ran." |
An spokeswoman from the Natural History Museum said: "The Museum's visitors and staff are always our first priority. | An spokeswoman from the Natural History Museum said: "The Museum's visitors and staff are always our first priority. |
"We are working with emergency services to assess the incident and we are doing all we can." | "We are working with emergency services to assess the incident and we are doing all we can." |
The Victoria and Albert Museum has tweeted that it is still open to visitors. | The Victoria and Albert Museum has tweeted that it is still open to visitors. |
Did you witness what happened? If it is safe to do so please let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Did you witness what happened? If it is safe to do so please let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |