Cops swarm Westminster Bridge after five armed officers injured in dramatic police boat crash

COPS have swarmed Westminster Bridge after a crash involving a police boat flung five officers into the water and left them all injured. Horrified eyewitnesses watched on as the vessel, which had been carrying armed officers, smashed into the 300-year-old bridge in central London. Cops swarmed Westminster Bridge after the smash this afternoon Credit: The Sun Traffic across the bridge is at a standstill Credit: PA Emergency crews, including air ambulance teams and RNLI responders, were scrambled to the River Thames shortly after 3.40pm. Five officers are now being treated at the nearby Westminster pier. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! A large number of police officers, fire crews and ambulances are on the scene, with traffic across the bridge at a standstill. Transport for London said two exits at Westminster tube station have been closed due to an “ongoing police incident”. Horrified eyewitnesses watched on as the vessel smashed into the bridge Credit: The Sun Emergency crews were scrambled to the bridge this afternoon Credit: PA An eyewitness said the police boat was accompanying a lifeboat at around 40 knots while enroute to help a person who had fallen into the water. But the vessel lost control and crashed into one of the arches. He added that three officers were flung into the water, with all three later seen receiving treatment. Two more police officers were not knocked out of the boat when it crashed, but were said to look “dazed”. Most read in The Sun Daniel Davis, 54, captain of the City Alpha Thames cruise boat told The Sun about the shocking moment the police rib lost control. He said: “It happened at about 3.40pm. “I was coming up from Tower with my passengers when I heard a call that a person had been reported in the water at Cringle Dock, Battersea. “Then I moved towards Westminster Pier and I was near the arches when I saw the lifeboat going at about 35 knots followed by the police boat. “I believe there were five officers on it. The police boat seemed to go towards a buttress on his left. “But as he went underneath the bridge he’s gone right over to his right side and the boat hit the right side of the bridge. “There was an almighty bang – I think one of the tanks popped on the boat. “The next thing there were three casualties in the river – fortunately their life jackets had deployed and they floated past Westminster Pier. “Two other boats nearby picked up the casualties. They’ve now evacuated the pier. “The two officers being treated lying down both seem to be conscious but in a lot of pain.” An investigation into the crash is now underway, the Metropolitan Police confirmed. Members of the public have been cleared from the bridge and a police cordon has been erected. A force spokesperson said: “At around 15:40hrs on Friday, 24 July, a boat from the Met’s Marine Policing Unit struck Westminster Bridge. “A number of officers entered the water, but were recovered. “Additional officers responded alongside the London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade. “We understand five officers were injured and are receiving treatment. We await an update on the extent of their injuries. “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.” The Port of London authority confirmed the incident involved a police vessel. Port of London Authority Spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident involving a police vessel at Westminster Bridge. “We are supporting the response by providing river traffic management assistance where needed and are working closely with the Metropolitan Police, HM Coastguard and partner agencies to manage the situation.” A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: “We’re responding to an incident on the River Thames near Westminster Bridge alongside partner agencies. “The Brigade’s fire boat and three fire rescue units with water rescue capabilities, have been mobilised to the scene. We were called at 1558 and remain on scene.”