Khalid Masood died of gunshot wound to chest, inquest hears

Khalid Masood, who killed four people in a terrorist attack in Westminster, died of a gunshot wound to the chest, an inquest has heard.

Opening and adjourning the inquest into Masood’s death, Westminster coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox was told the attacker was identified through fingerprints and DNA.

Masood, also known as Adrian Elms and Adrian Ajao, killed three people when he drove his 4x4 Hyundai Tucson along the pavement of Westminster Bridge before stabbing to death his fourth victim, PC Keith Palmer, an unarmed member of the parliamentary and diplomatic protection command unit who was guarding an entrance to the Houses of Parliament.

More than 35 people were injured in the attack, with wounds ranging from cuts and bruises to extensive bone and skull fractures. One person remains in a coma with extensive injuries.

The inquest into Masood’s death was opened and adjourned until a pre-inquest review on 19 May at the Royal Courts of Justice.

The senior investigating officer, DS John Crossley, told the hearing: “Masood was challenged by armed police and shot. He was taken to St Mary’s hospital by ambulance. He was pronounced dead at 15:35 on 22 March.”

Crossley said there were in excess of 1,500 potential witnesses, of whom at least 140 were considered significant.

Inquests into the victims’ deaths opened and adjourned on Wednesday. Palmer’s cause of death was given as haemorrhage and a stab wound to the chest, the inquest heard.

American tourist Kurt Cochran, 54, and teacher Aysha Frade, 44, died at the scene on the bridge after being struck by the car. Cochran died of multiple injuries and Frade died of head and chest injuries, the inquest heard.

Leslie Rhodes, 75, was taken to King’s College hospital but the retired window cleaner died three days later of a head injury.

A 30-year-old man remains in custody in relation to the incident and a 32-year-old was released on bail. Ten other people were arrested and released without further action, including Masood’s partner, Rohey Hydara.