‘It's a life-and-death emergency’: Paramedic begs Just Stop Oil activists to clear road after Waterloo Bridge shut down

8 November 2023, 12:59 | Updated: 8 November 2023, 13:00

A Just Stop Oil protest blocked Waterloo Bridge on Wednesday morning.
A Just Stop Oil protest blocked Waterloo Bridge on Wednesday morning. Picture: Metropolitan Police/Just Stop Oil

By Jenny Medlicott

A paramedic responding to a life-and-death emergency was blocked by a Just Stop Oil protest on Waterloo Bridge this morning.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Sixty activists obstructed the road on Waterloo Bridge on Wednesday morning as they staged a 30-minute slow march - forcing the carriageway to shut in both directions.

The protest started at around 9:30am before they took their march to the road, when officers urged the group to return to the pavement to allow cars past.

An ambulance driving with a siren and blue lights on later attempted to access the road but was blocked by the group of activists who failed to clear the way.

Growing increasingly frustrated, the paramedic pleaded with protesters and officers to let him through.

“I am responding to a life-and-death emergency,” he said, according to The Telegraph.

“I am going to pick up a team from Guy’s hospital to save someone’s life at another hospital but can’t get through.”

Officers said they were working as fast as possible to let the driver through as activists lay on the ground of the bridge.

Just Stop Oil activists blocked Waterloo Bridge.
Just Stop Oil activists blocked Waterloo Bridge. Picture: Metropolitan Police

At 10:22, an ambulance from London Ambulance service also tried to get through the bridge.

“An ambulance with a patient on board was delayed on Waterloo Bridge at 10.22am this morning," a London Ambulance spokesman said.

“Fortunately, the ambulance crew was able to divert to a different hospital.

“However delays can cost lives. We would ask any protesters to allow our crews to pass to ensure we are able to get timely treatment for our patients.”

Read more: Police should take 'as robust a line as possible' on Just Stop Oil, says ex-Met commander

Read more: Just Stop Oil shut down Whitehall: 100 arrested as police drag protesters to the Cenotaph 'for their own safety'

The group of protesters initially gathered at Waterloo Station before putting on orange slogan vests.

Waterloo Bridge was shut off for more than an hour after the activists lay down in the centre of the carriageway - making it too unsafe for cars to drive through.

Police said they arrested an estimated 40 climate activists during the protest under the Public Order Act.

In an update this morning, the Met Police said: “All JSO activists are out of the road.

“We estimate that officers made more than 40 arrests, those numbers will be confirmed in due course.”

A group of activists also target the Cenotaph war memorial.
A group of activists also target the Cenotaph war memorial. Picture: Met Police
Two activists were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
Two activists were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. Picture: Just Stop Oil

The activist group denied blocking the road on Wednesday, as they wrote on X: "Just Stop Oil will always move out of the road for emergency vehicles showing blue lights."

It comes after 44 activists from the climate group were charged following a slow march in Whitehall on Monday.

They obstructed traffic near Downing Street, and were arrested and placed on and around the Cenotaph by police, according to protesters and an officer.

Two activists were also accused of criminal damage after smashing the protective glass of a painting in the National Gallery the same day.

“We're removing officers from communities to police these demonstrations,” Met officers said.

“Ultimately, it's Londoners who are bearing the brunt and cost of their actions.”

Since October 30, 291 activists from the group have been arrested and a further 98 have been charged.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Kenya Cult Leader

Kenyan cult leader sentenced to 18 months for film violations

Rishi Sunak has said he should not be judged for how long he spent at Cop28

Judge me on results, not for how long I was at Cop28, pleads Rishi Sunak - after spending just 12 hours at climate talks

Israel-Hamas conflict

Met has ‘locally led’ London policing plan for expected pro-Palestine protests

Breaking
Brigit Forsyth has died.

Still Open All Hours and Likely Lads star Brigit Forsyth dies aged 83

Matt Hancock bizarrely declared Joe Anderson had died

Ex-Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson says he is still alive after Matt Hancock bizarrely announces his death in Covid Inquiry

Jussie Smollett

Appeal court affirms actor Jussie Smollett’s convictions and jail sentence

A caller to James O’Brien’s programme has shared footage of the extraordinary destruction done to his newly purchased property just outside of Durham.

Property investor's shock at 'unexplainable level of damage' he discovered after buying new home

Charles's tie featured a display very similar to the Greek flag

King Charles wears tie 'with Greek flags' in pattern as he meets Sunak after row over Elgin Marbles

Belton house, Grantham a National Trust property.

Man, 29, arrested on suspicion of murder at National Trust country house where Bridgerton was filmed

Grand Theft Auto 6 has been announced by Rockstar Games.

Gamers in meltdown as Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer release date announced by Rockstar

General view of the UKFast Campus factory in Birley Fields, Manchester, as the company's multi-millionaire boss has been jailed for sexual harassment and bullying allegations had been facing pressure from his customers

Tech multi-millionaire who drugged and raped women jailed for 15 years

Benjamin Netanyahu insists the country will "liquidate Hamas"

'Hamas will now take the mother of all thumpings' for not releasing all kidnapped women, says Israel

Felicity Huffman - pictured right with husband William H. Macy - served 11 days in prison and was forced to pay $30,000 for her involvement in the college admissions scandal

Felicity Huffman breaks silence on college admissions scandal after prison sentence for bribing daughter's way into college

APTOPIX The AP Interview Zelenskyy

Ukrainian special forces ‘bomb two Russian trains on Siberian railway’

Havering Council has scrapped the Hanukkah plans

Havering council u-turns on plans to scrap installation of Hanukkah menorah after sparking fury among locals

Romania National Day

Tens of thousands watch military parade marking Romania’s national day