Lichfield man speaks after London attack

A huge counter-terrorism investigation has been launched after a bomb was detonated on the packed London Underground train.

Witnesses described scenes of terror and panic after the blast sent a "fireball" and a "wall of flame" through a District line service at Parsons Green in West London.

Luke O' Connor, from Lichfield, was caught up in the attack, said:

"There was a loud explosion and then people obviously tried to get off the tube as quickly as possible.

"There was a smell which I use the expression sort of sulphuric acid, when you go into science lab at school, that type of smell.

"There appeared to be some injuries... sort of burning injuries by the look of it.

"There were lots of school kids on there, mothers doing the school run.

"I was sitting next to a girl who was just doing her spellings, people just getting ready for the day.

"It was just more of a shock really.

"You never expect it to happen."

Stephen Cowan, the leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, the area in which the attack took place, told the Press Association he was "outraged" by the explosion.

He said: "Around 8.20 this morning a package exploded in the final carriage of a District Line train at Parsons Green station, it is being treated as a terrorist incident.

"What is extremely impressive was that the emergency services were on to the situation immediately, there is a completely co-ordinated effort and there is no reason to be overly concerned.

"I would stress that people should be reassured because this is being dealt with very effectively by everyone in the emergency services."