Five officers hurt after patrol boat hits bridge: London police

LONDON: Five London police officers were injured Friday after their boat patrolling the River Thames struck Westminster Bridge and they went into the water, the UK capital’s Metropolitan Police Service said.
The force said in a statement that “a boat from the Met’s Marine Policing Unit struck Westminster Bridge while responding to a report of a person in the water.”
The incident, which happened around 3:40 p.m. (1440 GMT), next to Britain’s parliament building, resulted in three officers being thrown into the water and having to be rescued by nearby boats.
The Met said a total of five officers were hurt and, after receiving first aid, were taken to hospital. One has since been discharged.
Footage broadcast on UK television news channels showed the usually busy Westminster Bridge cordoned off and cleared of people and vehicles with emergency services vehicles parked nearby.
“The four officers who remain in hospital have serious but non-life-threatening injuries,” said a Met official, Nick John.
He thanked those on nearby boats who came to the rescue, as well as emergency responders.
“The quick-thinking and professionalism of all those involved undoubtedly prevented any further injuries,” he said, adding that no members of the public were injured.
The Marine Policing Unit is responsible for patrolling 75 kilometers (45 miles) of the River Thames.