Westminster Bridge has been sealed off in both directions after a police boat crashed into something on the River Thames earlier today, leaving five officers badly hurt. The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they were operating a vessel near the famous bridge when the incident occurred.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene in central London, with ambulances and firefighters rushing to treat the injured officers. According to initial reports, all five police personnel on board sustained injuries during the collision – although their conditions are not yet being disclosed by authorities.
The closure of Westminster Bridge has caused significant disruption to commuters and tourists alike, prompting Transport for London to issue diversions for bus services that normally cross the bridge. Nearby Tube stations may also experience increased congestion as a result.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision is now underway, led by the Metropolitan Police themselves. This probe will aim to determine the cause of the incident and assess any factors that contributed to it – standard procedure in such cases involving police personnel or assets.
The River Thames is a busy waterway, and incidents like this serve as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by emergency responders on our capital's busiest routes. The outcome of the investigation will likely shed more light on what happened, and further updates are expected once more information becomes available.