Five officers hurt in police boat crash were responding to 'person in water'

Five police officers were injured in a boat crash in central London while responding to a report of a “person in the water,” according to the Metropolitan Police. The force said a vessel from its marine policing unit, carrying armed officers, crashed into Westminster Bridge on the River Thames at about 3:40pm on Friday. The officers were responding to a report near Battersea, south-west London, when the impact threw three of them into the water. Nearby boats rescued the injured officers, and they were treated on scene before being taken to hospital, where four remained with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. One officer was discharged. No members of the public were hurt, the Met added. Commander Nick John said quick actions by river users and emergency colleagues helped prevent further injuries. A US couple visiting London reported hearing an “explosion,” describing the pursuing boat’s high speed.