A group of armed police officers on a police boat met with an accident near Westminster Bridge in central London, resulting in five officers being injured, with four of them sustaining serious injuries as they fell into the River Thames.
Emergency response teams quickly arrived at the scene in central London, including the RNLI, seen providing aid to casualties on a boat at the pier. A significant presence of police officers, fire brigade personnel, and ambulances was observed, causing traffic congestion on the bridge and impacting Underground services.
Metropolitan Police Commander Nick John expressed concern for the injured officers and commended the swift response of emergency services. He confirmed that the four officers hospitalized had serious but non-life-threatening injuries and assured full support during their recovery.
The collision occurred while the police boat, responding to a report of a person in the water upstream, struck Westminster Bridge. Three officers were thrown into the river but were rescued by nearby boats. Fortunately, no members of the public were harmed during the incident.
Westminster Bridge has since reopened, allowing traffic and pedestrians to resume normal activity. Visitors to the area reported hearing a loud noise resembling an explosion as the police boat collided with the bridge, leading to the officers’ injuries.
The London Fire Brigade also responded to the incident, mobilizing resources to assist in the rescue operation. The incident, which caused disruptions to transport services, is under investigation, with the primary focus on the well-being of the injured officers.
The Port of London Authority is cooperating with relevant agencies to manage the situation at Westminster Bridge following the police vessel collision. The incident has drawn attention to the area, known for its tourist attractions and iconic landmarks, highlighting the importance of safety measures and emergency response readiness.