Thames passenger ferry crashes into barge
A Thames passenger ferry has crashed into a barge, causing hundreds of people to be evacuated from tourist boats and four suffering minor injuries.
Everyone on board the vessels was safely disembarked by emergency services following the crash at 2.15pm today. The City Cruises vessel suffered visible damage as a result of the incident near Blackfriars Bridge, but was not sinking.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Police were called to the Thames, near the Oxo Tower, at 2.15pm today following reports of a passenger ferry and cargo boat in collision.
“The Metropolitan Police’s Marine Support Unit, Coastguard, London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service are all in attendance and are currently in the process of taking those on board the ships to shore. At this stage there are believed to be a small number of people with minor injuries including cuts and whiplash.”
“Nobody from either vessel entered the water following the collision, and neither boat is believed to be at risk of sinking.” It’s not yet clear why the two boats collided.
