- Five officers have been injured after a police boat struck Westminster Bridge on the River Thames in central London on Friday afternoon, the Metropolitan Police has said.
- At around 3.45pm on Friday July 24, a boat from the Met’s Marine Policing Unit struck Westminster Bridge.
- A number of officers entered the water but were recovered, and five officers were reported injured and receiving treatment.
- Emergency services responded with a large number of police officers, fire crews, and ambulances on the scene, causing traffic across the bridge to come to a standstill.
- Entrances three and four to Westminster Underground station have been shut, as confirmed by Transport for London.
- No members of the public are thought to have been involved or injured in the crash.
- Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang when the police boat crashed into Westminster Bridge.
- Traffic disruptions occurred, with buses and coaches forced to reverse and find alternative routes.
Five Metropolitan Police officers were injured when a police boat from the Marine Policing Unit crashed into Westminster Bridge around 3:40 PM on Friday. The officers were reportedly in the water for about 10 minutes before being rescued, with a life ring thrown to assist one of them.
A spokesperson for the Met stated, “We understand five officers were injured and are receiving treatment. We await an update on the extent of their injuries.” Fortunately, no members of the public were reported injured during the incident.8
Emergency services, including the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service, responded swiftly, with a police helicopter and air ambulance circling above. A cordon was established at either end of the bridge, leading to significant traffic disruptions, including the closure of two entrances to the Westminster Underground station and the cancellation of some Uber Boat services.10
Witnesses described hearing a loud bang as the police vessel collided with the bridge. Mateo Bilis-Lusevic, 12, said, “Two boats were riding extremely fast through the water. Suddenly, I heard a boom. Then three people went flying into the water and one of the people was really hurt.” The incident is under review, with authorities prioritizing the wellbeing of the injured officers.
A spokesperson for the Port of London Authority confirmed their support in managing the situation, stating, “We are aware of an incident involving a police vessel at Westminster Bridge.”
“Witness Mateo Bilis-Lusevic, 12, described hearing a loud boom and seeing three officers thrown into the Thames, with one seriously hurt. The London Fire Brigade mobilized its fire boat and three water rescue units, while the Port of London Authority assisted with river traffic management and a police cordon shut the bridge.”
The Herald
London Evening Standard
The Independent
