Five minutes previously I was singing the psalm - the next thing I was fighting with a sword-wielding madman Policeman Tom Tracey

The attack happened shortly after the 1030 service had started and witnesses said there was screaming and panic when the man - who has not been identified - began slashing at worshippers.

Many of the churchgoers ran into the adjoining hall where a children's service was being held.

"We were probably 15 minutes into the children's liturgy when the door from the church opened and a mass stampede of people came through," said Nanette Frederiksson.

One parishioner, Bob Wright, attempted to distract the man by thrusting a large crucifix in his face.

But it was off-duty policeman Tom Tracey who eventually managed to overpower the attacker with a 5 ft (152 cm) long organ pipe.

"Five minutes previously I was singing the psalm - the next thing I was fighting with a sword-wielding madman," he said.

The first paramedics to arrive said they were confronted with a scene of "blood and panic".

Most of the victims were taken to the Mayday hospital in Croydon where a consultant described the stab and slash wounds they had suffered as "horrific".

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Fitzgerald said he had no idea why the man carried out the attack.

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