A tragic collision has shaken central London today as police and emergency services responded to a serious incident on The Strand, WC2. The collision, which occurred near King’s College London just before midday, involved a van and multiple pedestrians. Here’s what we know about the events surrounding this devastating incident.
At approximately 11:41 am on Tuesday, March 18, authorities were alerted to a collision involving a van and pedestrians near Somerset House on The Strand. Emergency responders, including police, London Ambulance Service, and fire crews, rushed to the scene. Tragically, a woman in her 20s was pronounced dead at the location, while two other pedestrians were injured.
One of the injured individuals sustained potentially life-threatening injuries and has been taken to the hospital for urgent care. The second individual was also hospitalized and is being treated for minor injuries. This horrific turn of events has led to a significant response from authorities as investigations continue.
Following the collision, the van’s driver, a 26-year-old man, was taken into custody on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He is also accused of driving while under the influence of drugs, allegedly exceeding the legal concentration limit of a specified controlled substance. The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that the driver remains in custody while inquiries are ongoing.
This collision is being thoroughly investigated, with a crime scene established to preserve evidence. Forensic teams are actively examining the van involved. Although details are still emerging, the incident has been affirmed by the authorities as not terrorism-related, as confirmed in their initial reports.
For more on how metropolitan police handle collisions of this nature, you can visit this detailed statement on incidents.