Moment cop boat crashes into Westminster Bridge throwing armed officers into the Thames as five left seriously injured

THIS is the shocking moment a police boat crashes into Westminster Bridge and flings three armed police officers into the River Thames. Footage shows how the police boat suddenly lost control and smashed into one of the arches of the 300-year-old bridge, seriously injuring five officers. The police boat smashed into Westminster Bridge Three armed police officers were flung into the river and two more were left stunned The police RIB appears to get caught in the trailing tidal wake of a speeding lifeboat before swerving into the bridge. Three officers were thrown into the river and were later rescued by another vessel. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! It is thought the armed officers were carrying out a routine counter terror patrol in the area – with Parliament considered to be at risk from an attack from the Thames. The RNLI boat was separately called to a report of a person in the water at Battersea and travelling at around 35 knots an hour – 40 mph. The boat appears to lost control after an RNLI lifeboat speeds past Emergency services after the incident at Westminster Bridge in London Credit: Alamy Horrified onlookers looked on as the boat smashed into the 300-year-old bridge Responders from the RNLI could be seen treating casualties on a boat at Westminster pier Credit: Alamy A source said: “The lifeboat left a considerable wake behind it in the water which the RIB got caught by and lost control.” The lifeboat turned back to help pick up police casualties tossed into the water after the crash. Two more police officers were not knocked out of the boat when it crashed, but were said to look “dazed”. Emergency crews, including air ambulance teams and RNLI responders, were scrambled to the River Thames shortly after 3.40pm. Most read in The Sun Five officers were raced to hospital after being treated at the pier and one has since been discharged. A large number of police officers, fire crews and ambulances were on the scene, with traffic across the bridge brought to a standstill. Members of the public were cleared from the bridge and officers taped off both sides, forcing coaches to reverse and find another route. Transport for London said two exits at Westminster tube station were closed due to an “ongoing police incident”. Daniel Davis, 54, captain of the City Alpha Thames cruise boat told The Sun about the shocking moment the police rib lost control. He said: “It happened at about 3.40pm. “I was coming up from Tower with my passengers when I heard a call that a person had been reported in the water at Cringle Dock, Battersea. “Then I moved towards Westminster Pier and I was near the arches when I saw the lifeboat going at about 35 knots followed by the police boat. “I believe there were five officers on it. The police boat seemed to go towards a buttress on his left. “But as he went underneath the bridge he’s gone right over to his right side and the boat hit the right side of the bridge. “There was an almighty bang – I think one of the tanks popped on the boat. “The next thing there were three casualties in the river – fortunately their life jackets had deployed and they floated past Westminster Pier. “Two other boats nearby picked up the casualties. They’ve now evacuated the pier. “The two officers being treated lying down both seem to be conscious but in a lot of pain.” An investigation into the crash is now underway, the Metropolitan Police confirmed. A force spokesperson said: “At around 3.40pm on Friday, 24 July, a boat from the Met’s marine policing unit struck Westminster Bridge while responding to a report of a person in the water near Battersea. “As a result of the collision, three officers were thrown from the boat into the water. They were recovered by those on nearby boats. “Additional officers responded alongside the London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade. “Five officers were injured and received treatment at the scene before being taken to hospital. One has since been discharged.” No members of the public were injured in the incident, the Met added.