London (CNN) As Londoners absorb the most recent attack on their city , tales of heroism have emerged from the terror.

Seven people died and 48 were injured when three men drove a van into pedestrians on London Bridge before leaping out and launching a stabbing spree in nearby bars and restaurants on Saturday night.

Some of the injured had bravely tried to intervene as the men -- armed with what witnesses described as "footlong" knives or machetes -- indiscriminately attacked people in the Borough Market area.

The attackers also wore what appeared to be suicide vests of explosives. The vests were later established to be hoaxes but those who tried to stop the men would not have known that at the time.

'Remarkable stories of brave actions'

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick visited one of the hospitals treating the injured Sunday.

"There, I heard truly remarkable stories of extraordinary brave actions by officers -- on and off duty -- who were first on the scene. I also heard of colleagues from other emergency services and members of the public who ran towards the danger as this incident unfolded," she said in a statement.

"Many, many people risked their own safety to help others and to treat those seriously injured and indeed to confront the suspects involved.

"It is clear to me that the courage of those people during and following the attack was extraordinary and I pay tribute to all of them who came to the aid of those in need during this dreadful attack and I am sure helped to save lives," the commissioner said.

'Enormous courage in face of danger'

British Transport Police officer Among those who risked their lives was aBritish Transport Police officer armed only with a baton.

BTP Chief Constable Paul Crowther visited the man in hospital and in a statement praised his bravery.

"It became clear that he showed enormous courage in the face of danger, as did many others who were at the scene and rushed to help."

"For an officer who only joined us less than two years ago, the bravery he showed was outstanding and makes me extremely proud."

The BTP officer is now said to be in stable condition.

Met Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley confirmed that an off duty officer was caught up in the attack. "I am humbled by the bravery of an officer who will rush towards a potential suicide bomber thinking only of protecting others," he said in a statement.

Three Met police officers were injured in Saturday night's attack, two of whom were on-duty. An off-duty officer remains in serious condition.

'No thought for their own safety'

Authorities also heaped praise on the first responders who rushed to the scene.

With 80 medics in full force, The London Ambulance service transported 48 patients from the two scenes of the attack.

"There are barely words to describe their bravery -- officers who ran towards danger with no thought for their own safety," Metropolitan Police Federation Chairman Ken Marsh said in a statement.

'Fine and decent'

Members of the public stepped in to help.

Journalist Geoff Ho came to the aid of a bouncer.

A journalist wounded in the neck has been identified as Sunday Express Business Editor Geoff Ho, in an article by the newspaper.

The Sunday Express, where Ho works as business editor, said in an article that he was stabbed in the throat and later taken to hospital.

"Mr Ho selflessly intervened as the knife-wielding terrorists attacked a bouncer in the doorway of the Southwark Tavern, in Southwark Street," the newspaper wrote.

"He was later seen walking calmly towards an ambulance escorted by a police officer holding a makeshift bandage to his neck."

Sunday Express Editor Martin Townsend paid tribute to his colleague. "Geoff Ho is an absolutely first class reporter and a fine and decent man and our thoughts are with him and his family at this time," he said.

'Professionalism and bravery'

Others tried to protect those around them.

Restaurant owner Jack Applebee said he was standing outside when people came running down the street. A girl said, "They're stabbing everyone."

Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Forensic officers work at the scene of a terror attack at London Bridge in London on Sunday, June 4. At least seven people were killed in attacks late Saturday as a van mowed down pedestrians on London Bridge before attackers then stabbed victims at nearby Borough Market. Hide Caption 1 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Counterterrorism officers patrol near the scene of the attack on London Bridge. When speaking to the media on Sunday, British Prime Minister Theresa May did not announce any increase in the UK terror threat level. Hide Caption 2 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack A woman reacts after asking a Police officer to lay flowers near London Bridge as a tribute to the victims of the attack. Hide Caption 3 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack UK police officers on Sunday continue their investigation into the terror attacks on London Bridge and in a nearby restaurant district. The attacks on June 3 came days before a general election and two weeks after 22 people were killed when a suicide bomber targeted an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. Hide Caption 4 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Prime Minister Theresa May makes a statement at 10 Downing Street, following a Cobra security meeting in response to Saturday night's terror attack. Violence must "never be allowed to disrupt the democratic process," May said, adding that Thursday's general election will go ahead. Hide Caption 5 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Abandoned buses line London Bridge as the scene remains under investigation following the attack. Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said in a statement Sunday that a white van struck pedestrians on London Bridge. Attackers then left the vehicle and "a number of people were stabbed, including an on-duty British Transport Police officer who was responding to the incident at London Bridge," said Rowley. The officer received serious but not life-threatening injuries. Hide Caption 6 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Counter terrorism officers move up an escalator under The Shard, an iconic highrise near the scene of last night's London Bridge attack. Hide Caption 7 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack A group of police forensic officers walks in the street outside Borough Market. Hide Caption 8 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack People lie on the ground after being detained by police at Elizabeth Fry apartments in Barking, east London, which officers raided Sunday, June 4, following Saturday's terror attack at London Bridge and Borough Market. Hide Caption 9 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack A bouquet of flowers left near the police cordon at London Bridge on June 4. Hide Caption 10 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack A view from above shows where a van struck pedestrians on London Bridge -- and then crashed into a barrier. Hide Caption 11 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack This image, from London's Borough Market, shows two of the attackers after they were shot by London police. The attackers drove a white van into pedestrians on London Bridge, leaving bodies lying in the roadway, a witness to the incident told CNN Hide Caption 12 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Armed police patrol near London Bridge on Saturday, June 3. Mayor Sadiq Khan said it was a "deliberate and cowardly attack" on Londoners enjoying Saturday night out. Hide Caption 13 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack The white van used in the attack is seen near London Bridge. Hide Caption 14 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Police carry out a search near empty buses on London Bridge, Saturday, June 3. Hide Caption 15 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack A person is treated for injuries near London Bridge. Hide Caption 16 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Members of the public flee after reports of the incident involving a vehicle and pedestrians. Hide Caption 17 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Police and emergency responders attend to an injured person. Hide Caption 18 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack An armed Police officer gestures after the attack in central London. Hide Caption 19 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Guests from the Premier Inn Bankside Hotel are evacuated following the attacks. Hide Caption 20 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack A woman wearing an emergency blanket talks on her phone at London Bridge train station. London Bridge Tube station was closed and London Bridge was closed in both directions. Hide Caption 21 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Armed police raid The Blue Eyed Maid on Borough High Street. Hide Caption 22 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Debris and abandoned cars remain at the scene of one of the incidents. Hide Caption 23 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack Police sniffer dogs are seen at London Bridge. Hide Caption 24 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack A helicopter flies near London Bridge. Hide Caption 25 of 26 Photos: London Bridge, nearby cafe target of terror attack People are led to safety on Southwark Bridge, away from London Bridge. Hide Caption 26 of 26

Applebee told his customers to go to the back of the restaurant. He said he started to pull down his shutters and turned around to see three men standing outside, one holding a machete. One wore "this sort of belt," he said.

The men just looked at the people in the restaurant and Applebee said he didn't know what to do. The men went down the street, so Applebee and a colleague pulled down the shutters. Five minutes later they heard gunshots.

They went to the staff room upstairs where they heard more gunshots. About 90 minutes later, police evacuated the restaurant, he said.

"On behalf of the people of London, and on behalf of the whole country, I want to thank and pay tribute to the professionalism and bravery of the police and the emergency services -- and the courage of members of the public who defended themselves and others from the attackers," May said.