Member of Parliament hailed as hero for trying to save U.K. terror victim

BOURNEMOUTH, England — In the aftermath of two apparent terror assaults near Britain's Parliament on Wednesday, one member of Parliament battled to save the life of a police officer who was stabbed.

Conservative Member of Parliament Tobias Ellwood, a foreign officer minister, performed CPR on the officer on the grounds of the Palace of Westminster amid scenes of chaos.

According to a national newspaper, Ellwood, 50, said the police officer died at the scene.

At least three people, including a police officer, were killed and 20 injured in the attack by one person.

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Police said the attack started at about 2:40 p.m. local time when a car was driven over Westminster Bridge and slammed into members of the public and police officers. The vehicle then carried on before ramming into railings outside Parliament. The attacker then fled on foot and tried to enter Parliament, stabbing and killing a police officer on the way. Police said the assailant was fatally shot by police.

Ellwood, a former soldier who was seen with bruises and blood on his face and hands, was hailed as a hero for his actions.

After trying to staunch the officer's wounds, he remained with the victim while the emergency services helicopter arrived on the scene, landing in Parliament Square.

Ellwood was later seen with bloodied hands talking to officers before returning to the Foreign Office.

Ellwood lost his brother Jon in the terrorist bombing of Bali in 2002.

Members of Parliament were held in the House of Commons after a man apparently carrying a knife charged through the gates into the front yard of the parliamentary compound.

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Scotland Yard's top anti-terror officer Mark Rowley said the two other fatalities were on the bridge when the terrorist struck.

"This is a day we've planned for but hoped would never happen. Sadly it is now a reality," said Rowley.

Contributing: Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA TODAY. Follow Alex Winter on Twitter: Winter_Alex