Hero British taxi driver 'locked suicide bomber in his car' as friends say he only needed stitches and is already home: Cops confirm blast outside Liverpool hospital WAS terror incident
A hero taxi driver has been credited with saving many lives after locking an alleged suicide bomber inside his cab just moments before the vehicle blew up outside a hospital in what police and MI5 are now probing as a Poppy Day terror attack.
The explosion turned David Perry's cab into a fireball outside the Liverpool Women's Hospital, seconds before the 11am minute's silence was due to take place yesterday.
The male passenger, who had asked to go to the city's Service of Remembrance at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral less than a mile away where 1,200 military personnel, veterans and families of the fallen had gathered, was the only person killed.
A friend of married father-of-two Mr Perry, 45, said that he believed that the cathedral was the target but traffic and road closures led to the passenger, who has not been formally identified, asking the driver to park at the nearby Liverpool Women's Hospital instead. By locking him in, David appears to have stopped the man targeting the hospital as the clock struck 11am.
MI5 are said to be working with counter-terrorism police to confirm whether the Cathedral or the hospital was the true target and whether it was an Islamist attack.
The friend said: 'David noticed the man had some kind of light attached to his clothing and was messing around with it, it didn't look right at all. They couldn't get there, the roads were blocked off.
'The man changed his mind and asked to go to the city centre instead. But when they were going past the Women's Hospital he said to pull in there. It was just before 11. David noticed the man had some kind of light attached to his clothing and was messing around with it, it didn't look right at all.
'I don't know how he's done it with a split second's thought but David's jumped out and locked the car with this guy in the back. As soon as he did, it's gone off. If this guy got in the hospital God knows what could have happened. David's the luckiest man in Britain as well as the most heroic'.
Miraculously he suffered just minor cuts and bruises as well as damage to an ear drum. Last night he was discharged from hospital, insiders told MailOnline, while bomb squad including experts from the Army remained at the hospital.
Another friend added: 'David suffered cuts and bruises, a perforated ear drum and needed stitches in his ear. He'll be sore in the morning but he's home. I'm just glad no new babies were leaving at the time. For David to have probably been terrified and think so fast and then end up OK – it's amazing.'
In response to the explosion, anti-terror police carried out raids across the city yesterday, arresting three men, aged 21, 26 and 29, under the Terrorism Act in the Kensington area of the city and evacuating dozens of homes in an operation that remained ongoing into Monday morning.
And last night huge numbers of armed police and a negotiation team swarmed around a large Victorian property in Rutland Avenue, Liverpool, amid reports of a person of interest inside.
Locals said armed police ordered residents to leave, saying the area 'wasn't safe' and were 'pointing guns at a house'. Residents of the street were given five minutes to grab some belongings before being evacuated. The operation appears to have ended at around 3.30am and the cordon remains in place this morning.
Despite the shock of staff and patients at Europe's largest maternity hospital as the vehicle burned yards from their front door, sources close to Mr Perry's family today told MailOnline how it was not thought to be the original target of the suspected bombing and that the driver's actions potentially saved dozens of lives.
Here's what we know about the terror attack so far:
- The taxi containing the alleged suicide bomber pulled up outside Liverpool Women's Hospital at 10.55am yesterday. At 10.59am, after driver David Perry jumped out and locked the doors, the car exploded killing the man inside.
- Three men aged 21, 26 and 27, are arrested with two properties around a mile from the scene being searched by police: Sutcliffe Street in Kensington and Rutland Avenue close to Liverpool's Sefton Park. Armed officers supported by a dog team and stormed the Rutland Avenue address last night in an operation lasting close to ten hours. The police activity reduced at 3.30am but the street remains cordoned off;
- Friends of Mr Perry claim that he was meant to take the passenger to Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral but was delayed by road closures and traffic, and diverted to Liverpool's Women's Hospital. Although the final target was not confirmed, the bomb went off just seconds before the national two minutes' silence began;
- MI5 are helping police in the north-west with an Islamist terror attack was among the scenarios being investigated;
Hero taxi driver David Perry (left, and right with his wife Rachel_ who apparently locked a suicide bomber in his car before a blast ripped through the vehicle outside a maternity hospital in Liverpool on Sunday
Three men have been arrested as part of a terror probe after one person died and another was injured when a taxi pulled up and exploded (pictured) at Liverpool Women's Hospital seconds before the 11am Remembrance Sunday silence began
The incident took place at Liverpool Women's Hospital as a remembrance service involving scores of military personnel, veterans and civic dignitaries, was happening at the city's Anglican Cathedral less than a mile away
The explosion took place at Liverpool Women's Hospital. A short walk from the Remembrance Day Service at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral. There were three arrests at Sutcliffe Street in Kensington and a police operation at Rutland Avenue, where armed officers swarmed around a Victorian block of flats
Meanwhile around a mile from the Liverpool hospital, Rutland Avenue was cordoned off, with counter-terror officers and a 'negotiation team' at the scene. Locals said armed police, with dogs (pictured) ordered residents to leave, saying the area 'wasn't safe' and were 'pointing guns at a house'
Heavily armed police, one holding a breaching gun used to blast the hinges off doors, were seen at an address in Rutland Avenue near Liverpool's Sefton Park on Sunday night as officers investigated an explosion at the city's Women's Hospital at 10:59am
A police officer stands guard near the scene of a car blast at Liverpool Women's Hospital in Liverpool this morning
Police activity in Sutcliffe Street in the Kensington area of Liverpool, where three men, aged 21, 26 and 27, were arrested last night. They appear to be focussing on a property next to the Sir Walter Raleigh pub
Armed police were earlier pictured at Boaler Street, Kensington, and Rutland Avenue near Sefton Park (pictured today) as officers closed the roads with vehicles and cordons
Residents were ordered to remain inside while near neighbours were evacuated but some of the locals appeared to be inside the cordon this morning (pictured)
The Mayor of Liverpool has praised a 'heroic' cabbie for his efforts to reduce the impact of the car explosion in the city.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Joanne Anderson said: 'The taxi driver, in his heroic efforts, has managed to divert what could have been an absolutely awful disaster at the hospital.
'Our thanks go to him and our emergency services, and authorities have worked through the night to divert anything further and we've all been on standby and in constant contact to provide any support that's needed.'
She added: 'Well, we knew that the taxi driver had stood out and locked the doors, we knew that early on.'
Sources said the experienced cabbie picked up a fare who initially asked to be taken to Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral, half a mile from the hospital, where a Remembrance Sunday parade ended and a memorial event featuring thousands of servicemen, veterans and dignitaries was being held.
Another friend added: 'David suffered cuts and bruises, a perforated ear drum and needed stitches in his ear. He'll be sore in the morning but he's home. I'm just glad no new babies were leaving at the time. For David to have probably been terrified and think so fast and then end up OK – it's amazing.'
A fundraiser was last night set up by some of Mr Perry's Liverpool taxi driver colleagues to help him and his family recover from the ordeal. It had made £8,500 within hours.
One theory police are probing is that the detonators on a potential bomb exploded but not the main charge. That would be a repeat of the failed 21/7 bombings three weeks after the 7/7 atrocity in 2005.
Carl Bessant, whose partner had just had a baby at the hospital, said: 'She was feeding the baby when it happened. We heard a loud bang and looked out of the window.
'We saw the car on fire and someone jumped out... screaming, and there was someone inside the car. The hospital shut down, no-one in or out, so they said, but people were using the back entrance.'
As the police investigation developed three men aged 21, 26 and 29 were arrested as armed officers stormed a home in the inner-city Kensington area of Liverpool within 90 minutes of the explosion. They were being quizzed overnight.
One Kensington resident, 21, said: 'They grabbed two men and handcuffed them behind their backs.' Chris Lee, 31, said: 'They were bundled into the van. They had grabbed them from one of the houses. I had never seen them before.'
Sections of Boaler Street and Sutcliffe Street remained cordoned off, with a heavy police presence at the scene as inquiries continued today.
A similar police scene was in place at Rutland Avenue several miles away in Sefton Park, with a large number of armed officers seen in the neighbourhood.
Locals said police arrived from about 1pm as officers went on to guard a terraced property as the immediate surrounding area was cordoned off. Around 11:30pm, witnesses said roads were being evacuated, with taxis and at least two minibuses arriving at the scene to take residents to alternative accommodation.
Shortly before 10pm Ryan O'Neill tweeted that armed police 'pointing guns at the house' gave him five minutes to pack and leave Boaler Street with his partner and children.
Counter-terror negotiators were also called to the scene and facilities for residents were being set up in a nearby leisure centre.
Police early Monday said: 'A large cordon is in place on Rutland Avenue in Liverpool and a small number of addresses have been evacuated as a precaution.
'This is part of our ongoing enquiries into the car explosion outside the city's Women's hospital on Sunday morning.'
No description was available for the taxi passenger, who was declared dead at the scene.
Footage filmed from the hospital showed the car burning fiercely as voices can be heard gasping in shock. A shocked man is seen holding his head in his hands before being led away by hospital staff.
Locals described hearing a loud bang and seeing smoke rising from the hospital grounds just before 11am.
Father-of-two Matt Kerr, 52, said: 'I had just sat down to watch the Remembrance Sunday service as my family have served in the army when I heard a bang.
'I did a double take and just wondered what it was. I looked out and saw smoke, then there were police everywhere and helicopters. It's scary to think someone might have wanted to hurt women and children.'
Footage posted online showed a car engulfed in bright orange flames outside the maternity hospital in Liverpool on Sunday,
Counter terrorism police launched an investigation into the explosion earlier today with raids carried out and a bomb squad (pictured) on site
A close friend of Mr Perry's told MailOnline the family believe the original target was the Remembrance service: 'The passenger asked David to go to the cathedral (pictured) so we believe that was the intended target. But they got stuck in heavy traffic so the passenger asked to go to the hospital instead'
Mother-of-one Emily Makefield, 32, said: 'I was walking nearby when I heard a bang and saw the smoke. It's terrifying this could happen at a women's hospital. It's shocking.'
Shop worker Sandra Hughes, 35, said: 'I saw people being turned away from hospital and police everywhere. It's terrifying to think someone might have wanted to attack a hospital.'
Social media was last night flooded with praise for the taxi driver's heroism.
Stephen Thomas said online: 'He is my mate, and he spotted the passenger acting suspicious. He's in hospital, luckily he escaped just before, but he did suffer some injuries.'
Kev Cuthbertson also wrote on Facebook: 'He is a hero, when he noticed the bomb he locked the scumbag in the car but took the brunt of the blast.'
Billy Darwin added: 'I've heard he has injuries, so on behalf of us all on here I wish this Liverpool hero a speedy recovery.
'He put his life on the line and nearly paid the ultimate price to save others – apparently not giving anything a second thought besides making sure he went above and beyond to keep the people of our city safe.'
Marie Davies said: 'He stopped by the women's hospital and locked the man in his cab after noticing the device.'
Phil Garrigan, chief fire officer of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, said the car fire was 'fully developed' when two appliances arrived shortly after 11am.
He told reporters at the scene: 'The operational crews extinguished the fire rapidly but as has been reiterated by the police chief constable, there was one fatality.
'Another individual had left the vehicle prior to the fire developing to the extent that it did. Our thoughts are with them and the families of those involved.'
Armed police were pictured outside two addresses on separate streets in Liverpool as officers closed the roads and residents were ordered to remain inside
Rutland Avenue near Sefton Park (pictured) and Boaler Street in Kensington were blocked by police vehicles and cordons, witnesses said
In a statement, North West Ambulance Service said: 'At 10.59am today we were called to reports of a car explosion [at Liverpool Women's Hospital]. We were on scene by 11.04am.
'One person has died and another person was treated for serious but not life-threatening injuries, before being taken to hospital.'
In a statement, the hospital, which was featured on the hit Channel 4 series One Born Every Minute and looks after around 50,000 patients a year, said: 'We are reviewing our patient activity for the next 24-48 hours and patients should wait to be contacted for updates about any planned appointments or other attendance at the hospital.
'Our staff are being permitted to leave and enter the hospital under the supervision of Merseyside Police.
'We would like to say thank you for the co-operation and support of our patients, visitors and staff who have been impacted by this incident, in particular those members of staff who were at the scene at the time of the incident.'
Women were told to avoid the hospital over the next 24 hours unless directly contacted by staff and told to attend their appointments.
Counter Terrorism Police are leading the investigation, supported by Merseyside Police, a spokesman for the force confirmed
Police and firefighters were spotted outside the Liverpool Women's Hospital, alongside a bomb disposal vehicle
Army personnel were pictured at the scene in Liverpool on Sunday evening after an explosion killed one and injured another person seconds before the nation fell silent for Remembrance Sunday
Police attended the incident, along with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and the North West Regional Ambulance Service
Pictures taken at the scene show smoke billowing into the sky, while a video picked up banging noises while firefighters arrived at the scene
In a statement, Home Secretary Ms Patel said: 'I am being kept regularly updated on the awful incident at Liverpool Women's Hospital.
'Our police and emergency services are working hard to establish what happened and it is right they are given the time and space to do so.'
Mayor Anderson said: 'This morning's tragic incident at the Liverpool Women's Hospital has understandably caused a great deal of concern.
'Given the police investigation is ongoing, we need to refrain from speculation so that the facts can be established.
'The emergency services have been excellent in their handling of this incident and I offer them my sincere thanks. The response time to the scene was fantastically swift and the vehicle fire was out within minutes ensuring any other damage to property or harm to individuals was contained.
'This incident has clearly had a big impact on the hospital itself, especially the patients, their families and staff.'
She added: 'It is vitally important that everyone remains calm during this stressful situation and allow the police to conduct their investigation in the appropriate manner.'
Merseyside Police chief constable, Serena Kennedy, said: 'This has not been declared a terrorist incident at this stage although out of caution [counter-terrorism] detectives are leading as we try to understand the circumstances behind the explosion.
'So far we understand that the car involved was a taxi which pulled up at the hospital shortly before the explosion occurred. Work is still going on to establish what has happened and could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything.
'We are keeping an open mind as to what caused the explosion, but given how it has happened - out of caution - counter terrorism police are leading the investigation supported by Merseyside Police. Our response is ongoing at the hospital and will be for some time. Cordons are in place, and there are some road closures.'
A spokesman for Merseyside Police told MailOnline it could take 'some time' to confirm what happened but that a major incident had been declared.
'We can confirm that at 10.59am today police were called to reports of a car explosion at the Women's Hospital in Liverpool city centre,' the statement said.
'Police immediately attended, along with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and the North West Regional Ambulance Service.
'Unfortunately, we can confirm that one person has died and another has been taken to hospital where he is being treated for his injuries, which thankfully are not life threatening.
'So far we understand that the car involved was a taxi which pulled up at the hospital shortly before the explosion occurred.
'Work is still going on to establish what has happened, and could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything.'
The spokesman added: 'We are keeping an open mind as to what caused the explosion but given how it has happened, out of caution, Counter Terrorism Police are leading the investigation supported by Merseyside Police.
'The emergency services have well-rehearsed plans for dealing with major incidents. Our response is ongoing at the hospital and will be for some time. Cordons are in place, and there are some road closures.
'We would urge the public to remain calm (but vigilant).
'We would like to thank the public for their patience and their cooperation today which has already greatly assisted our policing response.
'We will issue updates as soon as we have more information.
'This has not been declared a terrorist incident at this stage although out of caution [counter-terror] detectives are leading as we try to understand the circumstances behind the explosion.'
No comments