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Two people were stabbed at a London hospital, prompting armed police to rush to the scene and wards to go into lockdown.
Officers found two people with stab injuries at Central Middlesex Hospital, one of whom was left fighting for their life.
And a man arrested outside the hospital inflicted life-treatening injuries on himself, according to the Metropolitan Police. An air ambulance was sent to the site.
As the attacks happened, some hospital patients were told to stay in their rooms, while officers carried out a search.
A visitor at the hospital, near Acton in west London, tweeted: “I am at Middlesex Central hospital in the dialysis unit and we’re sheltering in safe rooms. Armed policemen are on the scene, being described as a ‘major incident’.”
Mark Thewlis tweeted: “My partner is in lockdown situation. Person still at large by all accounts.
“Police with guns swarming hospital now. Partner been advised to stay locked in room with colleagues/patients.”
A few minutes later he added: “OK, they’ve been safely evacuated and one person has been detained by all accounts.”
“He has also been conveyed to hospital having received injuries that are believed to be self-inflicted. His condition is being treated as life-threatening,” they said.
“Officers will remain in the hospital as further searches are conducted but at this time they are satisfied that no one else is sought.
“Police are working to establish the circumstances. At this time the incident is not being treated as terror-related.
“The hospital was temporarily locked down but has now reopened and will be operating services as normal. There is a heightened police presence at the hospital while we investigate.”
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the hosptial, urged people to follow any instructions given by police.
“Police are on site and the hospital was temporarily locked down for a short period of time as a precautionary measure. Working closely with the Metropolitan Police, we have now reopened the hospital and services will continue as normal,” the trust said.
Appointments that were cancelled may have to be rescheduled, it added.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/stabbing-hospital-middlesex-central-hospital-london-b2361655.html
