Story perspectives

Marine Police Boat Hits Westminster Bridge, Five Injured

7/25/2026

Summary

Marine Police Crash

A Marine Policing Unit boat struck Westminster Bridge on Friday at about 15:40 BST, injuring five officers.
Three officers were thrown into the River Thames and rescued by boats.
One officer was discharged from hospital while the other four remain injured but not life-threatening.
The vessel collided while responding to a report of a person in water near Battersea.
Cmdr Nick John thanked river users and responders for preventing further injuries.

Summary

Marine Police Probe

MAIB and Met Police professional standards will review speed logs, radio traffic and tidal data.
Investigators will examine bridge damage and the boat’s telemetry to assess mechanical failure or sudden maneuvering.
Marine experts say strong currents near Westminster Pier may complicate high-speed patrols.
Transport for London directed drivers to Lambeth, Waterloo or Blackfriars bridges as detours, kept Victoria Embankment jammed, and listed helplines (101, 999, 111) for updates.

History

Historical Context

London’s riverside has endured repeated Thames floods—most notably the 1928 flood that killed 14 people and the 1953 North Sea surge—prompting mid-1960s plans that led to the Thames Barrier’s construction (1974-84). Those historic breaches shaped today’s safety upgrades, influencing the Metropolitan Police’s river patrols and the 2024 Westminster Bridge collision response.

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Marine Police Crash

A Marine Policing Unit boat struck Westminster Bridge on Friday at about 15:40 BST, injuring five officers.
Three officers were thrown into the River Thames and rescued by boats.
One officer was discharged from hospital while the other four remain injured but not life-threatening.
The vessel collided while responding to a report of a person in water near Battersea.
Cmdr Nick John thanked river users and responders for preventing further injuries.

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