District Line and Parsons Green Lane Remain Closed on Friday Evening

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Updates from Police,TfL, Medical Services and H&F Council on today's incident

The District line is suspended between Earls Court and Wimbledon and Parsons Green Lane remains closed this evening, 15 September, following today's terrorist incident in a train at Parsons Green underground station.

The latest update from TfL says Parsons Green Lane will remain closed whilst Police continue their investigation. However,

New Kings Road has been re-opened westbound at Wandsworth Bridge Road and eastbound at Fulham High Street. Fulham Road has also been re-opened eastbound at Fulham Palace Road and westbound at North End Road following an emergency services incident.

Traffic is currently flowing well approaching the closure, however drivers are advised to expect delays due to diverting traffic.

The latest update from police meanwhile says that detectives from the Met Police's Counter Terrorism Command are carrying out an urgent investigation into the incident.

It has been declared a terrorist incident. Detectives from the Counter Terrorism Command, part of the national counter-terrorism police network, are making fast-time inquiries to establish who was responsible and are working closely with the security services. So far there have been no arrests.

Police believe the fire was caused by the detonation of an improvised device, which is being forensically examined.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, pictured above, head of national counter-terrorism policing, said: "There are many urgent inquiries ongoing with hundreds of detectives involved, looking at CCTV, carrying out forensic work and speaking to witnesses.

"I am appealing for anyone who has information that would assist detectives to contact the hotline on 0800 789 321. I would also urge anyone with images or moving footage from the scene to upload them at UK Police Image Appeal.

"Today and over the weekend the public can expect to see a heightened police presence, particularly in crowded places and at transport hubs.

"As always we urge the public to remain calm but alert; if they have any concerns, see or hear anything suspicious then please contact the police on the confidential hotline 0800 789 321. In an emergency always call 999."

The station remains cordoned off and people are being advised to avoid the area.

Natasha Wills, Assistant Director of Operations at London Ambulance Service said: "Following the incident at Parsons Green this morning, we can confirm that we treated a total of 19 patients – mostly for minor injuries – and took them to three London hospitals: St Mary’s, St Thomas’ and the Chelsea and Westminster.

"We sent a number of ambulance crews to the scene as well as our Hazardous Area Response Team and incident response officers. They were supported by a dedicated team in our incident control room.

“We arrived on scene in five minutes of the first 999 call and worked closely with our colleagues from the Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police and London Fire Brigade making sure patients received the medical help they needed as quickly as possible.

"As always, we would encourage anyone with urgent health care needs to call NHS111 in the first instance so we are available to respond to life threatening emergencies across the capital."

Chelsea and Westminster's Chief Operating Officer Rob Hodgkiss said: “Following today’s incident at Parsons Green Station we initiated our major incident protocol. We have been working closely with the emergency services to ensure we treat patients in a safe and timely manner.

"Our major incident plans are well-tested and our doctors, nurses and support teams have worked extremely hard to ensure all casualties receive excellent care along with our other patients.

"At 1pm we stepped down from major incident status and continue as business as usual. We received 14 casualties including a small number of admissions to our specialist burns unit.

"I would like to thank our staff for the incredible work they have carried out today under difficult circumstances.

"Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by today’s events."

Emergency services, including armed officers with the Met Police, British Transport Police, 50 firefighters from surrounding fire stations and London Ambulance Service were called to Parons Green at around 8.20am this morning, after an explosion on an eastbound train.

Pictures have emerged of a white bucket containing wires within a Lidl supermarket bag. Police have said this improvised device did not fully detonate.

However, the explosion caused a fireball to fill the carriages on the crowded commuter train and there was panic as people tried to escape.

This picture, taken by Merton Conservative Councillor Dan Holden (@DanHolden85) shows the scene outside the station. Dan was on the train and he tweeted from the scene: "Horror on @districtline at #ParsonsGreen due to explosion/fire. People struggling to get out of station. Lots of shell shocked people and looks like quite a few injured.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council opened a rest centre for affected residents at 110 Lancaster Court, Fulham Road, providing refreshments and support for residents, but at 6.30pm announced that as residents are now being allowed back into their homes, the rest centre is closing. The council thanks everyone who helped.

Council Leader Stephen Cowan said:"This morning’s terrorist incident on a tube at Parsons Green station was yet another abhorrent attempt to divide and harm Londoners.

"I would like to thank the emergency services and TfL staff who responded quickly and bravely to help the wounded to safety and make the station safe.

"Our heart-felt sympathy goes out to those wounded in the attack. And our message to those that try to kill and maim is that we remain united in the face of terrorist threats.

"We have been working with schools to ensure pupils are safe and to help children and their families plan their routes home.

"We are providing a wide range of support including emotional and psychological support, health and safety advice and guidance on how to reassure and explain the facts to children."

Today's incident has also caused disruption to bin collections and street cleaning. The following roads have not had their rubbish collected or been swept:

St Maur Road
Bottom half of Epple Road
Elmstone Road
Shottendane Road
Harbledown Road
Fulham Road – Parsons Green to Broadway
Pulton Place
Cassidy Road
A portion of St Dionis Road

Kerbside collections will be made Saturday morning if roads open, or on Sunday morning. Street cleansing will follow after the bins are collected.

September 15, 2017

 

 

 

September 15, 2017