An inquest into the death of a man who killed four people in the Westminster terror attack began today (March 30).

The coroner opened and adjourned the hearing for British national Khalid Masood, also known as Adrian Russell Elms and Adrian Russell Ajao.

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Detective Superintendent John Crossley, who is leading the police investigation under Operation Classific, gave evidence into the circumstances of the 52-year-old's death.

An outline was provided under the authority of senior coroner for Westminster, Dr Fiona Wilcox.

PC Keith Palmer
A picture Khalid Masood, the man police say carried out the Westminster attack

On Wednesday (March 22) at around 2.40pm a man drove a Hyundai, number plate EK66 RWO, northbound over Westminster Bridge travelling towards the Palace of Westminster, the court heard.

DS Crossley said: "The driver mounted the pavement twice in an apparently deliberate attempt to target pedestrians before mounting the pavement for a final time and crashing the car into the east perimeter gates of the Palace of Westminster.

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Members of the public light candles during a candlelit vigil at Trafalgar Square on Thursday (March 23)
Floral tributes lay outside the the Houses of Parliament following the attack on Westminster on Wednesday (March 22).

"The man then left the car armed with two large knives and ran into the vehicle entrance gateway known as Carriage Gates, at the north perimeter fence of the Palace of Westminster.

"The man attacked a police officer in the grounds of the Palace of Westminster with the knives causing grave wounds and killing the officer - PC Keith Palmer.

"The attacker was then shot by a police firearms officer."

London terror attack victim Aysha Frade
Kurt Cochran was killed on the final day of his first trip abroad, to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife, Melissa.

The court heard the attacker, Masood, died at the scene and his time of death was recorded as 3.35pm.

More than 35 people were injured and the incident lasted 82 seconds.

American tourist Kurt Cochran, 54 , DLD College staff member Aysha Frade, 44, and PC Keith Palmer, 48, died at the scene.

Retired Leslie Rhodes, 75, was taken to hospital where he died as a result of his injuries the following day.

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Officers at the scene of the terror attack in Westminster
A man lays flowers outside New Scotland Yard following Westminster terror attack in which one police officer was killed

One person remains in hospital in a coma, suffering extensive injuries, the court was told.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the circumstances of Masood's death.

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