Ordinary Londoners who showed "breathtaking heroism" in disarming a knife-wielding attacker have been praised by politicians and members of the public alike after they intervened to
Police shot dead the man, who had strapped a fake bomb to his body before stabbing a number of people, in what they said was a terrorist incident.
Videos on social media showed a crowd of people who had tackled the man to the ground, before being moved away by police who then shot him.
A passerby picks up the attacker's knife and moves it away as armed police move in for the arrest. Source: Press Association
"I ... want to pay tribute to the extraordinary bravery of those members of the public who physically intervened to protect the lives of others," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. "For me they represent the very best of our country and I thank them on behalf of all of our country."
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said those who confronted the attacker would not have known that a bomb device strapped to his body was a hoax.
"What's remarkable about the images we've seen is the breathtaking heroism of members of the public who literally ran towards danger not knowing what confronted them," he told reporters on Friday.
Police have praised the actions of passers-by who stepped in to detain the knifeman. Source: Press Association
"They really are the best of us," he added.
In the videos, a man can be seen retrieving a knife from the melee on the ground before urging bystanders to getaway.
Police and London authorities have praised the quick thinking and heroism of bystanders who jumped in to help as the attack unfolded. Source: Twitter
George Robarts, a translator who was on the bridge at the time, said the unidentified man had run through traffic and jumped the central partition to tackle the attacker with several people.
"We ran away but looks like he disarmed him," he said in a tweet. "Amazing bravery."
Thomas Gray was another one of the pedestrians who rushed to defuse the situation.
Thomas Gray was one of the brave passers-by who risked his life in the attack. Source: ITV
“We ran towards him and we tried to do our best to apprehend the suspect,” Mr Gray, who was driving over the bridge with his friend Stevie, told ITV.
“When we got there he was wielding two knives one was duct-taped to his hand.
Counter-terrorism police at the scene on London Bridge after the attack. Source: Getty Images
“The guys were pinning him to the ground so I stamped as hard as I could on his wrist trying (to get him to) release the knife.
“Someone kicked the knife away and it went northbound up London Bridge.”
Other Twitter users praised the man in a suit and tie seen removing the knife. One said he should have his mortgage waived and another said he should never have to buy a drink again.
A police officer moves an uninvolved person away from the cordon around London Bridge, following the shooting. Source: Press Association
Rob Underwood, a 65-year-old from Lincolnshire, eastern England, who was visiting London for the day, said he heard bangs that sounded like a firecracker going off and did not initially realise they were gunshots.
"Apart from momentarily looking up and seeing whatever that flash might have been, it's difficult. You feel as though you're in a bubble, really," he told Reuters. "It was almost like a firecracker going off."
"Once you see everybody rushing and scattering, you (are) really fearing for your own safety and I think the major thing was just to get out of the way and get down," he told Reuters.
Police say they are treating the attack as terror related but continue to investigate. Source: Getty Images
"You just feel very scared, very anxious about what's happening and just wait for whatever is going to pass."
With wires...
