Westminster car crash: Scotland Yard takes charge of probe, arrests suspect

Barely a year after the Westminster Bridge attack in March 2017 when Khalid Masood ploughed a car into crowds on Westminster Bridge which killed four people, another incident shook London on Tuesday. A man driving a car at a speed of 40 mph (miles per hour) crashed into security barriers outside the Houses of Parliament, injuring two people.

Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism unit have cordoned off the streets around Millbank, Parliament Square and Victoria Tower Gardens. The security personnel have also arrested the man driving the car and is leading the investigation, keeping the “terrorism’ aspect in mind. Also, the armed forces have locked the area near the parliament.

Rooftop camera shows moment car crashes into barriers outside Parliamenthttps://t.co/CprbiGZgrg #Westminster pic.twitter.com/0noYclQNaR

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) August 14, 2018

Though no such claim could have been established so far for the possible attack, the good news is that Parliament is currently not sitting. Soon after the incident, an ambulance took the injured cyclists to the hospital, later confirming that they suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Expressing concern over the incident, Prime Minister Theresa May said, reports BBC,  “My thoughts are with those injured in the incident in Westminster and my thanks to the emergency services for their immediate and courageous response.”

Also, London Mayor Sadiq Khan too took to Twitter and said that he is in constant contact with the security personnel. He responded:

I’m in close contact with @MetPoliceUK Commissioner about the incident at Parliament Square.

Thank you to the first responders who were on the scene so quickly.

Enquiries are continuing. Westminster station is closed. Follow @metpoliceuk for updates.https://t.co/CR9rlwHCn8

— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) August 14, 2018

The Security forces have also diverted the rush hour traffic and people working in the vicinity have been informed that there may a long wait before roads are reopened. Due to this incident, the Supreme Court too has been closed for the public.

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