Four police officers were seriously injured after a boat carrying armed response units crashed into Westminster Bridge in central London, while in a separate incident four men were killed when their car hit a lamppost in Huyton, Merseyside.
The Metropolitan Police said the marine unit boat struck the bridge at around 3.40pm on Friday while responding to a report of a person in the water near Battersea. Three officers were thrown into the river and recovered by nearby boats. In total, five officers required medical attention; one was discharged shortly after being taken to hospital. Commander Nick John said the four remaining in hospital have serious but non-life-threatening injuries. “Our thoughts are with all those involved, in particular our officers who were injured and those who responded in challenging circumstances,” he said. “The quick-thinking and professionalism of all those involved undoubtedly prevented any further injuries.”
“Four officers seriously hurt in London boat crash; four men killed in Merseyside car crash on same day.”
No members of the public were injured. The RNLI attended to those injured on a black rigid inflatable boat moored to the riverbank. Traffic was brought to a standstill on the Embankment, and Westminster Underground station closed entrances three and four. Thames Clippers warned of disruption. The Port of London Authority provided river traffic management. The circumstances are being thoroughly reviewed.
Earlier the same day, just before 2am, Merseyside Police were called to Liverpool Road in Huyton after a black Seat Cupra came off the road and crashed into a lamppost. Two men aged 23, a 24-year-old man and a 26-year-old man were pronounced dead at the scene. A 27-year-old passenger was taken to hospital in a stable condition. Specialist officers are investigating the cause. Superintendent Paul Holden said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the four men who sadly lost their lives. … It is now our priority to get answers for them on how the collision occurred.” He appealed for witnesses or doorbell footage. Road closures on Liverpool Road and East Prescot Road are expected to remain in place over the weekend. A temporary drone exclusion zone has been imposed under article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Both incidents remain under investigation, with no further details released.