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DRAMATIC footage shows armed cops yelling at terrified people to "GET BACK" after a cab driver hit pedestrians outside London's Natural History Museum.

Scared tourists are filmed running through the streets as gun-carrying cops chase them away from the scene in South Kensington.

Dramatic footage shows cops move terrified pedestrians after a car drove into pedestrians near the Natural History Museum in London
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Dramatic footage shows cops move terrified pedestrians after a car drove into pedestrians near the Natural History Museum in LondonCredit: The Sun

In the footage, officers can be heard shouting: "Do not stop there. Keep moving back," while one policeman can be heard yelling "move please" at the top of his lungs.

Hundreds fled screaming in panic as armed police raced to the busy tourist spot with witnesses saying they were being bundled into basements.

Dozens of pedestrians, some wheeling pushchairs, ran as panic spread following the crash
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Dozens of pedestrians, some wheeling pushchairs, ran as panic spread following the crash
One woman took a nasty fall in the rush to get away from the scene of the incident
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One woman took a nasty fall in the rush to get away from the scene of the incident

One American tourist, who did not wished to be named, was with his girlfriend in the Kensington Creperie restaurant just yards from the smash which happened shortly before 2.30pm.

He told The Sun Online: "We were sitting down and suddenly saw a huge stampede of people. Some police came in and told us to get on the floor.

"Then they told us to get in the basement. We thought there might be an active shooter.

"I thought it was a shooting. I'm still shaking a bit.

He added: "Police arrived within seconds and were pushing everyone forward and telling them to run."

Other bystanders told how they saw a blood-soaked man was pinned to the floor as he was detained.

Armed cops raced to the scene shortly before 2.30pm today
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Armed cops raced to the scene shortly before 2.30pm todayCredit: BACKGRID
A road sign can be seen damaged at the side of the pavement following the collision
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A road sign can be seen damaged at the side of the pavement following the collisionCredit: Stefano sutter / twitter
The injured were taken away on stretchers as hundreds of police cars were pictured at the scene
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The injured were taken away on stretchers as hundreds of police cars were pictured at the sceneCredit: AFP

Roxanne Dervliet, from Bristol, who is in London celebrating her 23rd birthday, said she saw police bundle on top of a man on the ground.

She told The Sun Online: "We'd just walked past the museum and saw what looked like a car crashed into a building.

"There were 100-odd people running away. Police were directing people out of the way and I think one person started running and it set everyone off.

"I was shaking, my friend was crying.

"My mum was calling me and telling me I shouldn't have come to London for my birthday.

"I went into Starbucks opposite to get out of the way. Everyone is very confused about what is going on. We're all shook up."

Witnesses cited by the Associated Press claim to have seen the man in handcuffs looking "really proud of himself, he was laughing".

The black Toyota Prius crashes into several vehicles and pedestrians outside the busy museum
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The black Toyota Prius crashes into several vehicles and pedestrians outside the busy museum
Three cars can be seen in the collision with debris spread across the road
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Three cars can be seen in the collision with debris spread across the roadCredit: Stefano Sutter Twitter
Police can be seen holding back crowds who are waiting at the cordon
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Police can be seen holding back crowds who are waiting at the cordonCredit: Reuters
A man can be seen on the ground outside the museum
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A man can be seen on the ground outside the museum

Witnesses have described seeing up to 10 injured - some taken away by ambulances - as emergency services swarmed the scene.

Nearby museums have been evacuated while the roads remain closed and the London Underground has closed between Embankment and South Kensington.

What we know so far:

  • A car struck pedestrians as it mounted a pavement outside London's Natural History Museum on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, at 2.21pm today

  • Counter-terrorism police are investigating the incident

  • Met Police are treating as a road traffic incident

  • London Ambulance Service has confirmed it has treated 11 patients

  • Casualties have mostly for legs and head injuries

  • Nine were treated to hospital

  • Hundreds of people were seen fleeing as armed police swarmed the scene.

  • A blood-soaked man was pinned to the floor, with two phones and piles of debris lying nearby

  • A smashed-up black Toyota Prius private hire car could be seen at the side of the road

  • The area between Exhibition Road and Cromwell Road is on lockdown where a man was detained by police

  • Prime Minister Theresa May is being kept up to date with developments

A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: "Police were called at 1421 on Saturday, 7 October to reports of a collision in Exhibition Road, South Kensington. It is believed that a number of pedestrians have been injured. Officers are on scene, and the London Ambulance Service have been called.

"A man has been detained at the scene. Enquiries to establish the circumstances and motive are underway."

Nearby museums have been evacuated while the roads remain closed and the London Underground has closed between Embankment and South Kensington.


A number of people have been injured and a man has been detained, Scotland Yard confirmed. Did you witness anything? Please call us on 02077824177

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