Dramatic Westminster Bridge Boat Crash: Police Dive into Water Following Loud ‘Boom’ Incident

A boy witnessed a dramatic incident when armed police officers were propelled into the River Thames after their boat collided at high speed with Westminster Bridge. The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that several officers were rescued from the water, with five sustaining injuries. Witnesses Cecilia Lusevic, 56, and her son Mateo Bilis-Lusevic, 12, reported hearing a loud “boom” as the boat crashed, and they observed the officers struggling in the water for approximately ten minutes before being rescued.

The family, visiting from Chile, was on a sightseeing boat on the north side of the bridge when they witnessed the event unfold. Shortly after the incident, they were evacuated from their vessel. Mateo recounted, “Two boats were racing through the water at an astonishing speed. Suddenly, I heard a boom. I turned to look at the boat, and then three people were thrown into the water, one of whom appeared to be seriously injured.” He noted that the officers remained in the river for about ten minutes, during which a life ring was thrown to assist one of them.

Immediate Response and Ongoing Investigation

The Metropolitan Police stated that their primary concern is the wellbeing of the officers involved, who received medical attention from paramedics aboard an inflatable boat anchored nearby. The incident occurred at approximately 3:45 PM on Friday, July 24, and by 5:30 PM, extensive police cordons were still in effect. Officers have cleared the area around Westminster Bridge, adjacent to the Houses of Parliament, prompting buses and coaches to divert their routes.

Emergency services, including multiple ambulances, fire crews, and police vehicles, were sighted along the Embankment, while a police helicopter hovered overhead alongside an air ambulance. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed, “A boat from the Met’s Marine Policing Unit collided with Westminster Bridge. Several officers entered the water but were successfully rescued. Additional personnel responded alongside the London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade.” The spokesperson further stated that while five officers were injured and receiving treatment, there was no indication that any members of the public were harmed.

Transport Disruptions and Public Safety Measures

In the wake of the incident, entrances three and four to Westminster Underground station have been closed, as confirmed by Transport for London. Thames Clippers, the operator of Uber Boat services, also announced that some services may be disrupted due to the crash. Notably, the RB1 service scheduled to depart from Battersea Power Station to Barking Riverside at 3:26 PM was cancelled.

The Metropolitan Police have pledged to conduct a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the incident, although their immediate focus remains on the health and recovery of the affected officers. Members of the public are advised to stay clear of the area as investigations continue.