Five London police officers injured after patrol boat hits Westminster Bridge

Five London police officers were injured on Friday after a Metropolitan Police boat struck Westminster Bridge while responding to a report of a person in the River Thames, the force said.

The incident happened at about 3:40 pm local time, or 1440 GMT, next to Britain's parliament building. The Metropolitan Police Service said three officers were thrown into the water and were rescued by nearby boats. A total of five officers were hurt and taken to hospital after receiving first aid. One officer was later discharged.

Nick John, a Metropolitan Police official, said the four officers still in hospital had serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He thanked people on nearby boats and emergency responders, saying their actions prevented further injuries. He said no members of the public were injured.

Television footage showed Westminster Bridge, normally busy with pedestrians and traffic, cordoned off and cleared while emergency vehicles were nearby. The Metropolitan Police Marine Policing Unit is responsible for patrolling 75 kilometres, or 45 miles, of the River Thames.