Jurors in distress at video of rampage

JURORS AT the inquest into the death of Westminster attacker Khalid Masood were visibly upset as they viewed graphic video of his murderous rampage.

In just 82 seconds, the 52-yearold mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, killing four and seriously injuring 29 more, before stabbing an unarmed police guard at the Palace of Westminster.

The inquest heard how crowds fled in terror after Masood crashed his Hyundai Tucson into railings and lumbered towards the Palace of Westminster gates armed with two large knives.

Pc Keith Palmer was on duty at the Carriage Gates and stepped forward to confront him.

The officer was driven back and stumbled by a low wall where he was repeatedly stabbed by Masood.

He managed to get away when a colleague distracted the knifeman but collapsed nearby in a pool of blood.

Meanwhile, two armed bodyguards had rushed to the scene and shouted a warning for Masood to stop.

When he failed to comply, one of the close protection officers opened fire.

The inquest into Masood’s death followed the conclusion of hearings for victims Pc Palmer, 48, American tourist Kurt Cochran, 54, retired window cleaner Leslie Rhodes, 75, mother-of-two Aysha Frade, 44, and Romanian designer Andreea Cristea, 31.

Detective Superintendent John Crossley played CCTV footage capturing the events of the afternoon of March 22 last year. Jurors were also shown the dramatic moment Masood was fatally shot in New Palace Yard.

Mr Crossley said an extensive investigation involving more than 1,300 officers and the collection of thousands of hours of CCTV footage had concluded Masood acted alone.