Five officers injured and some pulled from River Thames after police boat crashes into Westminster Bridge

Emergency workers including members of the RNLI were seen treating casualties on a boat at Westminster pier after the dramatic incident unfolded in front of horrified tourists on Westminster Bridge.

At least 13 ambulances raced to the scene along with a large number of police officers, and rescue teams. Traffic on the bridge was at a standstill this afternoon and a large area was cordoned off with members of the public told to leave the area and head back towards Big Ben.

Police said five officers had been injured and 'a number' had to be rescued from the water after the crash.

A spokesperson for the Met said: “At around 3.45pm on Friday July 24 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.”

A spokesperson for the Coastguard said: "At around 3.45pm today (24 July) HM Coastguard responded to reports of people in the water, following a vessel colliding with Westminster Bridge.

"Marine Police units and a lifeboat from Tower RNLI attended the scene, alongside the ambulance service. All people involved have been rescued and are accounted for."

A Port of London Authority spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident involving a police vessel at Westminster Bridge.

“We are supporting the response and providing assistance where needed, working closely with the Metropolitan Police, HM Coastguard and partner agencies to manage the situation.”

"We were called at 3.47pm today (24 July) to reports of an incident on Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment.

“We sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, incident response officers, advanced paramedics and paramedics from our hazardous area response team (HART). We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.

“We treated five people at the scene and took them all to hospital."

A fire service boat could be seen towing a police boat down the River Thames away from Westminster Bridge where five police police officers were injured in a crash on Friday.

The black rigid inflatable police boat was tethered to the larger fire service vessel as it made its way down the central London river.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said her thoughts are with the five officers injured.

She also thanked the London Ambulance and Fire Service for their swift response.