Five police officers injured as boat strikes Westminster Bridge

Five police officers injured as boat strikes Westminster Bridge

Five Metropolitan Police officers were injured on Friday, July 24, after a police boat struck Westminster Bridge in central London. The vessel, which belonged to the Met's Marine Policing Unit and was carrying armed officers, collided with the bridge at approximately 15:40 BST.

Following the impact, several officers entered the River Thames. Witnesses reported that some officers remained in the water for about ten minutes, and a life ring was deployed to assist one of them. Those who fell into the river were recovered and treated by paramedics on a rigid black inflatable boat moored alongside the river; responders from the RNLI were also seen treating casualties at Westminster pier.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that five officers are receiving treatment, though the force is still awaiting an update on the extent of their injuries. A spokesperson for the Met Police stated:

"We understand five officers were injured and are receiving treatment. 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."

Met Police spokesperson, via BBC

The collision caused significant disruption to transport and pedestrian access near the Houses of Parliament. A cordon was established at both ends of the bridge, forcing buses and coaches to reverse and find alternative routes. Traffic across the bridge reached a standstill, with emergency vehicles parked on the span and along the Embankment.

The emergency response involved a wide array of agencies. The London Fire Brigade was called at 15:58 and deployed a fire boat and three fire rescue units with water rescue capabilities. A police helicopter and an air ambulance circled the scene, while the Port of London Authority provided river traffic management assistance. The Port of London Authority said it worked closely with the Metropolitan Police, HM Coastguard, and other partner agencies to manage the situation.

The incident was witnessed by tourists on a Thames tour boat on the north side of the bridge. Mateo Bilis-Lusevic, 12, and his mother, Cecilia Lusevic, 56, described hearing a loud boom as two boats were riding extremely fast through the water. The 12-year-old noted that three people went flying into the water and one of the people was really hurt before the visitors from Chile were evacuated from their vessel.

Public transport in the area faced immediate impacts. Transport for London confirmed the closure of several entrances to Westminster Underground station, including exits one and two as well as entrances three and four. River services were also affected; Uber Boat by Thames Clippers cancelled the RB1 3.26pm service from Battersea Power Station to Barking Riverside. A spokesperson for the company noted that while the incident did not involve their own vessels, some services remained subject to delay or disruption.

The Metropolitan Police have stated that a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the crash will be conducted.