Five officers injured as medics fish armed cops out of water following dramatic Thames crash
Chaos has engulfed Central London after a police boat carrying armed officers crashed near the iconic Westminster Bridge
Some officers fell into the water(Image: David Lynch/PA Wire)
A police boat carrying armed officers crashed near Westminster Bridge sparking chaos in central London.
Five people were injured in the incident and were treated by paramedics on a black rigid inflatable boat at the scene. It is understood some had to be recovered from the river following the crash.
A large number of police officers, fire crews and ambulances are on the scene, with traffic across the bridge at a standstill. Officers have taped off a section of Westminster Bridge following the incident on the River Thames involving a police vessel.
Chaos at Westminster Bridge
As many as 13 ambulances, fire crews and police vehicles could be seen parked along Embankment with a helicopter circling overhead. A social media user at the scene described “wounded” being stretchered off the vessel and away from the scene.
A spokesperson for the Met 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.
“Additional officers responded alongside the London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade. We understand five officers were injured and are receiving treatment. We await an update on the extent of their injuries.
“At this stage, we don’t believe any members of the public were involved or injured. The circumstances of the incident will be thoroughly reviewed, but at this stage our priority is the wellbeing of the officers involved.”
A section of Westminster Bridge was closed off(Image: David Lynch/PA Wire)
The Port of London authority said earlier that the incident involved a police vessel. A spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident involving a police vessel at Westminster Bridge.
“We are supporting the response by providing river traffic management assistance where needed and are working closely with the Metropolitan Police, HM Coastguard and partner agencies to manage the situation.”
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