London attack: Single police officer took on all three terrorists alone armed only with baton

A British Transport Police officer took on all three London Bridge attackers armed only with a baton, it has been revealed.

The officer was one of the first responders to the scene and received stab wounds to his face, head and leg, while attempting to stop the van and stabbing rampage in a busy area of the city.

Seven people were killed in the atrocity, and dozens more were injured, before police shot dead the suspects.

The BTP’s top officer paid tribute to the “enormous courage” of his colleague, after it was revealed his condition was stable.

‘I was throwing bottles, glasses, stools, chairs, but I was defenceless’ says London Bridge eyewitness

Chief constable Paul Crowther said: “Having visited the officer in hospital shortly after he was admitted for treatment, I was able to hear his account of what happened last night.

“It became clear that he showed enormous courage in the face of danger, as did many others who were at the scene and rushed to help.

“Although he is seriously unwell, he was able to recount how he faced the attackers armed only with his baton, outside London Bridge station.

“For an officer who only joined us less than two years ago, the bravery he showed was outstanding and makes me extremely proud.

“All of us at BTP wish him a swift recovery, and I know he will be touched by the hundreds of messages of support from across the UK and the world.

“Our thoughts are with all of those who died or were injured, and their loved ones as they try to come to terms with what happened.”

There were three other police officers hurt, including one who was off duty and remains in a critical condition.

An off-duty Metropolitan Police officer also received critical injuries after rugby tackling the suspects with his bare hands, the BBC reported.

Metropolitan Police Federation chairman Ken Marsh said: “First and foremost our thoughts are with the families of those who lost loved ones in the horrific events last night and we wish well to those still injured.

“There can be no doubt that the swift response of our colleagues – both armed and unarmed – saved further lives from being lost.

“There are barely words to describe their bravery – officers who ran towards danger with no thought for their own safety.

15 show all London Bridge Terror Attack

1/15 Armed police on Borough High Street as police are dealing with a "major incident" at London Bridge PA

2/15 Armed Police talk to members of the public outside London Bridge Hospital as police are dealing with a "major incident" at London Bridge PA

3/15 Police Officers outside the Barrowboy and Banker Public House on Borough High Street as police are dealing with a "major incident" at London Bridge PA

4/15 Armed police on Borough High Street as police deal with a 'major incident' at London Bridge PA

5/15 Emergency services near the scene of the incident Screengrab

6/15 People run down Borough High Street as police are dealing with a "major incident" at London Bridge Reuters

7/15 Emergency services arrive at the scene near Borough market at London Bridge Carl Court/Getty Images

8/15 Emergency personnel on London Bridge as police are dealing with a "major incident" at London Bridge PA

9/15 Police sniffer dogs on London Bridge as police are dealing with a "major incident" at London Bridge PA

10/15 A second helicopter lands on London Bridge as police are responding to three incidents in the capital, amid reports that a vehicle collided with pedestrians on London Bridge, Scotland Yard said. Officers are dealing with reports of stabbings in Borough Market, where armed officers attended and shots were fired. They are also at an incident in the Vauxhall area PA

11/15 Police attend to an incident on London Bridge in London REUTERS

12/15 Police attend to an incident on London Bridge in London, Britain REUTERS

13/15 A police officer escorts members of the public to safety at London Bridge Getty Images

14/15 Police attend to an incident on London Bridge in London, Britain REUTERS

15/15 Police attend to an incident near London Bridge in London, Britain REUTERS

“Londoners can rightly be proud of their emergency services today. They are the best of the best and we thank everyone for their praise and kind comments.

“I can confirm that sadly some of our colleagues were among the injured in the attack last night. I join all UK police colleagues in wishing them a swift recovery.

“We are offering them our full support.”

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick praised the officers’ “extraordinary bravery”.