Two regional journalists have described the “pandemonium” in Las Vegas after being caught up in the gun attack which has killed at least 50 people.

Nathan Judah, digital sports editor at Wolverhampton-based daily the Express & Star, and Northern Echo sports editor Nick Loughlin, who are both on holiday in the American city, have relayed their experiences back home in the aftermath of the tragedy.

An as yet unnamed gunman opened fire on an outdoor music concert crowd from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, on the resort’s famous strip.

Nathan made a series of posts on Twitter from close to the scene shortly after the attack, which took place at around 10.20pm local time or 6.20am British Summer Time.

He wrote: “Wow, loads of shots just fired on Vegas strip… people just running ,very scary. Trying to get back to our hotel but proving difficult.

“Back in room now and hotel on lockdown. Vegas strip is pandemonium. Looking after lady who was in the middle of it all and is very shaken. Scary.”

He later added: “Thank-you for all the kind comments…really appreciate it. Thoughts and prayers with everyone affected, keep safe.”

Speaking afterwards to the Express & Star, Nathan said: “We were around 50 yards away from where it happened. It’s hard to work out what we heard, but all of a sudden there was sheer panic, everyone was running away.

“We ran with them, people around us were looking for covering, trying to get to their hotels. It was pandemonium. We were lucky to get a taxi when we did before more crowds of people came along.”

He added: “There are people being treated in the lobby and we’re looking after someone in our hotel room. I’m looking outside and see the area is in lockdown, police cars are everywhere.

“People are in shock, trying to call family, trying to find out what is going on.”

Nick, who is holidaying in Vegas, is staying around two miles from the scene at the Wynn Encore Hotel.

He told the Darlington-based Echo: “We heard some sirens earlier on while heading back but it seems there was no panic or word of anything happening at our end of the strip.

“We did go past the Mandalay Bay earlier this afternoon and went by the festival site too where the shootings happened. It’s very close to the ‘Welcome to Vegas’ sign and the airport – we are due to fly home tomorrow night.

“There’s been no advice from our hotel about what to do and we are just watching it unfold on NBC from our hotel room.”