A police boat slammed into Westminster Bridge on a Friday afternoon, throwing three armed officers into the River Thames and leaving five injured. The crash, which happened at about 3.40pm on 24 July 2026, shut down one of London's most iconic crossings and sparked a major emergency response. For UK readers, the incident raises questions about the risks faced by police marine units and the safety of busy river traffic on the Thames.
The Metropolitan Police's Marine Policing Unit boat was responding to a report of a person in the water near Battersea when it struck the bridge. The boat was carrying armed officers. As a result of the collision, three officers were thrown into the water and rescued by people on nearby boats. In total, five officers were injured. One was discharged from hospital soon after; the other four sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to Commander Nick John. No members of the public were hurt.
“A police boat crashed into Westminster Bridge, injuring five officers. What happened and why it matters for UK readers.”
The Metropolitan Police, London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade, and RNLI all attended the scene. The Port of London Authority provided river traffic management. Westminster Bridge was closed to traffic, and buses and coaches had to reverse and find alternative routes. Entrances three and four at Westminster Underground station were shut due to the incident, and Uber Boat by Thames Clippers warned of possible disruption.
Eyewitness Jim Bagley, visiting from the US, described seeing two police boats: an orange boat that went under the bridge and a black police boat that followed. He said the black boat appeared to get caught in the wake of the first boat and slammed into the wall. Another witness, Cecilia Lusevic, 56, and her son Mateo, 12, said they heard a loud bang and then watched officers being rescued from the water.
Why does this matter for UK readers? The Thames is a busy waterway, with police, passenger boats, and leisure craft sharing the river. This crash highlights the dangers of high-speed marine operations in a confined urban environment. The Met's Marine Policing Unit provides armed response capability on the river, and this incident demonstrates the risks officers take even during routine emergency call-outs. It also affected commuters and tourists, with bridge closures during Friday rush hour.
Q: What caused the police boat to crash into Westminster Bridge? The exact cause is under review. Witnesses suggested the boat may have been caught in the wake of another vessel. The Met said the incident is being "thoroughly reviewed," but no official cause has been confirmed.
Q: How were the injured officers rescued? Three officers thrown into the Thames were pulled out by people on nearby boats. Additional officers, along with the London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade, responded. Casualties were treated at the scene and taken to hospital.
Q: Was the public in danger during the incident? No. The Met confirmed no members of the public were involved or injured. The area was cordoned off, and traffic was diverted as a precaution.
What happens next? The four officers remain in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries and will receive full support during recovery. The Met will continue its review of the circumstances. The Port of London Authority is working with partner agencies to manage river traffic. No further updates or dates have been announced.