Five police officers were injured when their patrol boat crashed into Westminster Bridge in central London on Saturday afternoon, throwing several officers into the River Thames. The incident occurred shortly before 4:00 p.m. as the officers were responding to a report of a person in the water near Battersea.

The officers involved were part of the Metropolitan Police’s Marine Policing Unit, which frequently collaborates with the Specialist Firearms Command on armed response operations along the Thames. According to police, the inflatable speedboat struck a support arch of Westminster Bridge at high speed, causing three officers to be thrown into the river. All five officers were quickly rescued by nearby vessels and emergency services personnel.

Witnesses described hearing a loud bang at the time of the crash. Cecilia Lusevic, 56, and her 12-year-old son Mateo, who were on a tour boat on the north side of the river, reported seeing two boats traveling rapidly on the water. Mateo said he observed the collision and the officers being thrown into the Thames. Other bystanders recalled seeing the rescue efforts and noted the visible injuries and distress of those involved.

Authorities confirmed that all five officers were taken to nearby hospitals. Four remain hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, while one has since been discharged. Emergency services including the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, London Ambulance Service, and London Fire Brigade were all involved in the rescue operation. A police spokesperson indicated that no members of the public were reported injured during the event.

Initial speculation from witnesses suggested that the police boat might have lost control after passing through the wake of another vessel, potentially a lifeboat also involved in responding to emergencies. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Metropolitan Police, who have pledged to thoroughly review the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Traffic around Westminster Bridge was disrupted for several hours, and parts of the nearby Westminster Underground station were temporarily closed as emergency responders attended the scene. A police helicopter and air ambulance were also seen overhead during the rescue response.

The Marine Policing Unit, based in Wapping, East London, often conducts counter-terrorism patrols in high-security areas such as the vicinity of the Houses of Parliament. Police have expressed their gratitude to the public and emergency services personnel who assisted quickly in the immediate aftermath of the crash. The wellbeing and recovery of the injured officers remain the force’s primary concern as investigations continue.