Westminster Boat Incident
Police Vessel Crashes Near Westminster Bridge, Triggering Major Emergency Response
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Key Points
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RNLI responders were observed treating casualties on a police boat at Westminster Pier, indicating an on-water medical response was being deployed.
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A section of Westminster Bridge overlooking the Houses of Parliament was taped off by police, highlighting the area being cordoned off for security and investigation.
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Paramedics attended to those injured on a black rigid inflatable boat moored to the riverbank, illustrating on-water medical care separate from land-based responders.
A Metropolitan Police boat crashed into Westminster Bridge on the River Thames in central London, injuring five officers from the marine policing unit, according to BBC. The collision happened shortly after noon, triggering one of the largest emergency responses seen at the site in recent memory, with helicopters, an air ambulance, fire crews, and ambulances all descending on the Embankment.
Westminster Bridge was taped off and brought to a complete standstill. Entrances three and four to Westminster Underground station were also shut, cutting off a key tube access point near the Houses of Parliament, Mirror reported.
Five Officers Hurt as Boat Strikes the Bridge
The police vessel was carrying armed officers when it struck Westminster Bridge at around 3:40pm, according to KMFM. Five officers were injured in the crash. The Metropolitan Police's marine policing unit operates boats on the Thames for security and patrol duties. No further details on the severity of injuries were immediately provided by the force, BBC noted.
Paramedics treated the injured on a black rigid inflatable boat moored to the riverbank, East Lothian Courier reported. RNLI responders — the Royal National Lifeboat Institution — were also seen treating casualties at Westminster Pier, providing on-water medical care alongside land-based emergency teams.
Police Cordon and Underground Closures Snarl Central London
A section of Westminster Bridge overlooking the Houses of Parliament was taped off by officers, blocking both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The bridge sits at one of London's most visited spots, and the closure caused an immediate standstill, Mirror reported. Police secured the area along the Embankment as the incident unfolded.
Entrances three and four to Westminster Underground station were shut, disrupting tube access for commuters and tourists in the area. No timeline was given for when the station entrances or the bridge would reopen. The closures added to the chaos around one of the capital's busiest landmarks on a weekday afternoon.
Air Ambulance and Multiple Agencies Flood the Scene
A police helicopter and an air ambulance circled overhead as the response grew, MyLondon reported. Numerous ambulances and fire crews lined the Embankment. The scale of the response reflected the seriousness of the crash and the sensitivity of the location, just metres from the UK's seat of government.
The Port of London Authority coordinated river traffic management, working alongside the Metropolitan Police and HM Coastguard to keep the Thames clear around the crash site. All major emergency services — police, fire, ambulance, coastguard, and RNLI — were active on the ground and on the water simultaneously, Mirror reported.
Investigation Underway as Authorities Seek Answers
The Metropolitan Police has not yet explained what caused the boat to strike the bridge. No statement on the exact speed or conditions at the time of the crash has been released. Eyewitnesses and media described the scene as fast-moving, with agencies arriving within minutes of the collision, Mirror reported.
Authorities said updates would be provided as the situation developed. The Port of London Authority said it was working closely with partner agencies to manage the river and support the response. The incident is under active investigation, and the public was urged to avoid the Westminster Bridge area.
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