Terror on Tottenham Court Road: 1,000 workers evacuated after ‘man with gas canisters strapped to his body storms London office building, takes four hostages and threatens to blow himself up’
Man ‘who failed driving test and wanted his money back’ took hostages at midday this afternoon
Eyewitnesses saw gas canisters strapped to his back as 1,000 workers are evacuated
Reports of snipers on nearby roofs while negotiators ‘talk to man via telephone’
By EDDIE WRENN and MATT BLAKE
PUBLISHED: 11:55 GMT, 27 April 2012 | UPDATED: 13:24 GMT, 27 April 2012
Armed police have evacuated at least 1,000 workers in central London after a suspected bomber stormed an office building and was feared to have taken hostages.
The man, who identified himself as Michael Green, strapped gas canisters to his back before entering the office of an HGV firm on Tottenham Court Road, according to witnesses.
He is understood to have taken four hostages inside Shropshire House, amid claims he had failed a HGV training course and wanted his money back.
The man has now been in the building for two-and-a-half hours, and negotiators are believed to be talking to him by telephone.
In that case I should have blown my self up at least three times. I am a horrible driver.