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Nine people have been injured after a pleasure cruiser crashed into Tower Bridge today, lifeboat crews said.

The Millennium Diamond boat hit the iconic bridge at around 11.55am, leaving one woman with serious injuries and a further eight people needing treatment.

One woman, aged 64, was taken as a priority to the Royal London Hospital for treatment for pelvic and head injuries. She is believed to have tumbled down a flight of metal stairs aboard the boat upon impact.

It is unclear what caused the collision.

An RNLI spokesman told the Standard: "Tower Lifeboat crew were tasked by the London coastguard to reports that a city cruise vessel had been in collision with Tower Bridge.

"Whilst en route there were reports of a woman with a suspected head injury.

"The boat moored at St Katharine's pier and when we arrived further people complained they were injured or unwell."

A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "Staff treated nine patients. A 64-year-old woman was treated for pelvic and head injuries and taken as a priority to the major trauma centre at the Royal London Hospital.

"Four women were treated for minor injuries and taken to the Royal London Hospital. A man and a girl were treated for minor injuries and made their own way to hospital. Two other women were checked over at the scene but did not require further treatment at hospital."

Kevin Maynard, from the RNLI, added: “We understand the woman had been standing at the top of some steel steps when the collision happened and the impact knocked her down.

“We treated the woman by giving her oxygen and using blankets to keep her warm, as well as dressing her wound and placing her on a board to protect her spine.”

A spokesman for City Cruises, the boat's operator, said the 126 passengers who were on board the service from Greenwich to Tower Pier were safely removed from the boat.

He added: "Police and paramedics were on hand and inspected the boat which has been returned to our London headquarters. Our other services remain in operation."

Police confirmed the Met's marine unit attended the scene.

No arrests were made and enquiries are ongoing.