Liverpool hospital explosion: Piers Morgan hails ‘absolute hero’ David Perry for ‘locking suspect in taxi before blast’

PIERS Morgan has praised a "hero" cabbie who locked a suspected terrorist in his taxi before a hospital bomb blast.

Dave Perry was injured after leaping from the car at Liverpool Women’s Hospital yesterday during the Remembrance Day horror.

His brave actions meant the male passenger carrying the bomb was the only person killed as the taxi erupted into a fireball.

TV host Piers today hailed Dave, who was left with burns and shrapnel injuries, as a "hero".

He tweeted: "This is Liverpool taxi driver David Perry who locked a Remembrance Sunday terrorist in his cab seconds before the bomber detonated an explosive device right outside a maternity hospital.

"David’s actions almost certainly saved many lives. He is an absolute hero."

Boris Johnson today praised the dad-of-two, saying he acted with “incredible presence of mind and bravery”.

The cabbie was also hailed a hero by pals on social media as it was confirmed he has been released from hospital.

Billy Darwin said: "DAVID PERRY The Liverpool HERO!!!!”

He added: “David nearly paid the ultimate price to save others, apparently not giving anything a second thought besides making sure he went above and beyond to keep the people of Our City safe!”

Stephen Thomas added: “The driver is my mate, and spotted the passenger acting suspiciously, so he jumped out the car.”

He went on: “This guy blew himself up, but my friend is OK. He sustained a few injuries, burns, burst eardrums and some shrapnel, but he’s OK.”

While Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The taxi driver, in his heroic efforts, has managed to divert what could have been an absolutely awful disaster at the hospital.

"Our thanks go to him and our emergency services, and authorities have worked through the night to divert anything further and we've all been on standby and in constant contact to provide any support that's needed."

The male passenger had asked Dave to drive him to the cathedral but changed his mind and instead wanted to be taken to the hospital, it is reported.

A source told the : "It was just before 11am. David noticed the man had some kind of light attached to his clothing and was messing around with it, it didn't look right at all."

Armed police swooped on the hospital just before 11am yesterday after the blast in a car park.

Horrified witnesses reported hearing a "loud bang" and seeing "dark smoke" as the car went up in flames.

Dramatic pictures showed the car on fire just inches from the main entrance to the hospital, where 30 babies are born each day.

Terror cops and MI5 are now investigating the explosion but said it has not been declared a terror attack.

It is understood officers are investigating whether the timing was deliberate as it came when the nation fell silent for Remembrance Day services across the country.

Three suspects - aged 29, 26 & 21 - have been arrested under the Terrorism Act.

TERROR PROBE

Staff had to evacuate some patients and transfer them to other hospitals as the Army bomb squad sealed off the area.

The North West Counter Terrorism Unit, leading the probe, said: "The passenger of the vehicle - a man - was declared dead at the scene and is yet to be formally identified.

"The driver - also a man - was injured at the scene and remains in hospital in a stable condition.

"We are keeping an open mind as to what has caused the explosion.

"We are working at a rapid pace to try and establish the circumstances behind this and will update in due course."

Home Secretary Priti Patel said she is "being kept regularly updated" on the terror probe.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "My thoughts are with all those affected by the awful incident in Liverpool today.

"I want to thank the emergency services for their quick response and professionalism, and the police for their ongoing work on the investigation."

Liverpool Women’s Hospital announced visiting access is restricted "until further notice" and patients will be sent to other medical facilities "where possible".

A spokesperson said staff will be reviewing "patient activity for the next 24 to 48 hours" and assured support is available for anyone impacted by the incident.

Liverpool Women’s Hospital featured on hit Channel 4 series One Born Every Minute and sees 500,000 patients a year.

The hospital — where Coleen Rooney gave birth to her four sons — has around 1,350 staff who work there.