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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Nicola Slawson

London Bridge closed after man falls into Thames

A view along the river Thames under a number of bridges, including London Bridge in the foreground.
One witness said the man appeared to jump from London Bridge into the river. Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

London Bridge was closed on Saturday morning after the driver of a suspected stolen van fell into the river Thames.

The man was rescued from the water and treated by paramedics at the scene.

He was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and taken to hospital, where he remains.

Police were called out at around 8am after a report that a van had been stolen and was seen heading in the direction of London Bridge.

The bridge was closed as local officers, the Marine Policing Unit, the Coastguard and London ambulance service dealt with the situation.

A witness said on Twitter that the man jumped, rather than fell, into the river.

No one else was injured and the incident was not being treated as terrorism related, police confirmed.

A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan police said: “The van collided with a number of vehicles including a bus before the driver made off on foot.

“The driver, a man, fell into the river Thames from London Bridge. He is under arrest on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and is in hospital.”

She said officers were still at the scene but the bridge had been reopened.

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