Shropshire Star

Shropshire family tell of terror attack

A Shropshire family has described how London refused to bow to terrorism when a driver ploughed into cyclists and pedestrians outside the Houses of Parliament.

Published
Police preventing access to Westminster Bridge

Rhea and Simon Alton, from Shrewsbury, were in the capital on a short break with their sons, seven-year-old George and five-year-old Ellis when a car hit cyclists waiting for traffic lights to change and also drove into those walking on the pavement.

Staying in Trafalgar Square they heard the sirens as emergency services responded to the attack by a man in his late 20s driving a silver Ford Fiesta.

But they said Londoners and visitors soon returned to the streets.

"When we went out London was as normal. It was full of tourists and very upbeat," Mrs Alton said .

"The roads in the area of the attack were closed as well as the bridge next to Parliament."

She said there were a lot of police on the streets.

"They were acting as normal, chatting to tourists and it seemed that public transport was running as normal.

"There was a police boat on Thames and a police helicopter above but we went out as planned and enjoyed the day. We event took the boys to see Parliament."

The couple, part of the J&PR Ltd public relations company said they did not consider cutting their holiday short and heading home to Shropshire early.

"We were due to come home late on Tuesday and we headed home as planned."