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London Ambulance Service to review terror attack protocol after 'run, hide, tell' advice made casualties hard to find

Run: The protocol could be changed: PA
Run: The protocol could be changed: PA

London Ambulance Service is reviewing the way it responds to terror attacks after police advice to “run, hide, tell” meant some casualties were difficult to find.

A number of those caught up in the London Bridge attack were so well “barricaded” into hiding places in Borough Market that it took some time before they were found and given medical treatment.

Ambulance chiefs said they fully supported the “run, hide, tell” advice but first-response medics were being reminded that not all casualties are easily found after a terrorist incident.

Eight people died at London Bridge and 48 casualties - 28 needing immediate care - were taken to hospital.

Protocol: paramedics attend to a person injured in a terror attack (AFP/Getty Images)
Protocol: paramedics attend to a person injured in a terror attack (AFP/Getty Images)

Police shot dead the three terrorists.

In a presentation to the Royal Society of Medicine, LAS chief executive Garrett Emmerson said run-and-hide made finding some casualties “complex.”

Paul Woodrow, LAS director of operations, said people “hid very well” and it took time to find victims.

He added: “We are taking up with the Met what we might do with that.”

An internal review into terror attacks and Grenfell Tower said 1,000 LAS staff need post-traumatic assessment.