A CITY A CITY KNIFED IN THE HEART

London reeling as deranged terrorist kills three, injures 40

AN Australian woman is among more than 40 people injured by a deranged terrorist who struck at the heart of London yesterday, killing three people — including a policeman — before being shot dead at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.

Patricia Neis- Beer, a German- born Australian resident, was among those injured when the terrorist used a speeding car to mow down tourists who were walking along Westminster Bridge before fatally stabbing an unarmed policeman at the entrance to the parliament, where MPs were in session.

The terrorist — who was known to police but whose identity was being suppressed last night — was gunned down by police near the landmark Big Ben clock tower and died a short time later.

Ms Neis- Beer, who has a 26- year- old son Jordan and a 19- year- old daughter Paige, is from Adelaide.

Her mother Evelyn NeisConrad last night said she was longing for her daughter to come home. “All I know is that she’s safe, alive and being well looked after. I have no idea when she can come home, as long as she comes home safe, ” she said.

Ms Neis- Beer was walking on Westminster Bridge when she was run down by the terrorist, who drove his car along the pavement at high speed, trying to hit as many people as he could. London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed the death of police constable Keith Palmer, 48, who was stabbed multiple times.

The British media have also named mother- of- two Aysha Frade, 43, as a victim, saying she died on Westminster Bridge as she went to collect her children from school.

The attack on the cradle of Western democracy began about 2.30pm on Wednesday and sent the capital into lockdown. MPs were evacuated from the Houses of Parliament to Westminster Abbey and Prime Minister Theresa May — who was inside when the attack happened — was whisked away by plain clothes police.

Even the gates of nearby Buckingham Palace were closed as part of the emergency response plan. The Queen was at home at the time.

As British security forces searched for answers to this latest terrorist atrocity, heavily armed police last night carried out raids in the large regional city of Birmingham, in the West Midlands.

They stormed an address that had been given to the car rental company where the terrorist had hired the grey Hyundai used in the attack.

No details were released last night, but seven people were arrested and were helping police with their inquiries.

It is believed the terrorist lived in a second- floor flat above a shop in Hagley Rd in the Bearwood area.

“The man from London lived here,” the witness told the Press Association, adding that officers had arrested three men at the scene.

The attacker appears to have deliberately struck during a sitting session of the House of Commons when the Prime Minister traditionally answers questions from MPs.

Westminster Bridge and the surrounding streets were all teeming with tourists when suddenly a car mounted the pavement and accelerated to high speed.

Pedestrians screamed and dived for their lives as the attacker deliberately swerved the car from side to side to hit as many people as he could.

One woman dived, or was flung, over the parapet and landed in the River Thames far below. She was picked up and taken to hospital.

Another woman was flung under the wheels of a passing bus and died instantly.

On the northern side of the bridge, the terrorist crashed his car into the security fence surrounding the Houses of Parliament and ran towards the entrance, brandishing two large knives.

He stabbing the unarmed PC Palmer multiple times be- fore being gunned down by other officers.

Among others wounded in the terrifying attack — which lasted about four minutes — were a group of French schoolchildren. Three police officers were also injured.

An emotional Ms May spoke outside her official residence at 10 Downing St, saying the location of the attack was “no accident’’ and the terrorist had committed “a sick and depraved’’ act.

“The terrorists chose to strike at the heart of our capi- tal city where all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech,” she said.

“These streets of Westminster — which are home to the world’s oldest parliament — are ingrained with a spirit of freedom that echoes around the globe. Any attempt to defeat those values through violence and terror is doomed to failure.”

Counter- Terrorism Minister and former soldier Tobias Ellwood was one of the first on the scene, bravely providing CPR to the fatally injured PC Palmer as he lay dying on the cobbled forecourt.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull yesterday said Australians stood shoulder to shoulder with the UK in the face of terror attacks, and he assured Australians everything was being done to keep them safe. “Australians should be reassured … that our agencies are today, as every day, working relentlessly and tirelessly to keep our people safe,” he said.