Police boat crashes into London bridge, officers fall into River Thames
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A police boat crashed into Westminster Bridge in central London, throwing officers into the River Thames and injuring five crew members.
- The Metropolitan Police are thoroughly reviewing the incident, and the cause of the crash is not immediately clear.
- Paramedics treated the injured on a boat while a police helicopter observed, and the bridge was temporarily closed to traffic.
A police boat collided with Westminster Bridge in central London on Friday, sending officers into the River Thames and injuring five crew members. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident and stated it would be thoroughly reviewed. Paramedics attended to the injured on a nearby inflatable boat as a police helicopter circled overhead. The cause of the crash remains unclear. A 12-year-old visitor from Chile described seeing two boats moving at high speed before hearing a loud "boom" and witnessing three people thrown into the water. He noted that officers were in the water for about 10 minutes, with one receiving a life ring. Police reported no civilian injuries. The bridge was closed to traffic while emergency services responded, and the Port of London Authority is assisting with river traffic management.
Two boats were riding extremely fast through the water. Suddenly, I heard a boom. I was looking towards the boat, and I heard a boom. Then three people went flying into the water, and one of the people was really hurt.
Originally published by PBS NewsHour in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.