UK Parliament Crash: Pedestrians Injured As Car Driven Into Barriers
A man has been arrested and a number of pedestrians injured after a car crashed into security barriers outside the Houses of Parliament, Scotland Yard has said.
Streets around Parliament Square, Millbank and Victoria Tower Gardens have been cordoned off as dozens of armed police swooped on the scene.
Officers could be seen surrounding the car before leading a man away in handcuffs. A number of ambulances were at the scene.
It is understood Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command is part of the investigation and is monitoring the situation. It is yet to determine whether this was a terrorist incident or not and to then make that finding public.
A Downing Street source said it was too soon “to give the incident any firm description”.
Scotland Yard said: “At 0737 hours today, a car was in collision with barriers outside the Houses of Parliament. The male driver of the car was detained by officers at the scene. A number of pedestrians have been injured. Officers remain at the scene.
“At this stage, officers do not believe anybody is in a life-threatening condition. Cordons are in place to assist the investigation. Westminster tube station is closed.”
A witness, Ewalina Ochab, said: “I think it looked intentional – the car drove at speed and towards the barriers. I was walking on the other side [of the road]. I heard some noise and someone screamed. I turned around and I saw a silver car driving very fast close to the railings, maybe even on the pavement. The person driving did not go out of the vehicle.” The car did not appear to have a front registration plate when it crashed, she said.
