People have reportedly been seen running down The Strand near London’s Covent Garden as a black cab mounted the pavement.

Witnesses say the car ‘ploughed into people’ on Southampton Street in the busy central area of the capital.

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Jay Gilbert told Metro.co.uk that his daughter Christie saw a taxi mounting the pavement and hitting people, and there were ‘bodies all over the floor’.

A Met Police spokesperson told Metro.co.uk that the incident was not thought to be terror related, and that it is being treated as a collision.


They were called to the scene at 5.01pm, and they are now awaiting confirmation on the number of casualties.



London Ambulance Service later confirmed that they treated four people at the scene, one of whom had serious leg injuries after reportedly becoming trapped underneath the car.

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Witnesses saw pedestrians running down the street (Picture: PA)

Stuart Chrichton, assistant director of operations for LAS, said: ‘We were called just after 5pm to reports of a road traffic collision at Southampton Street, Covent Garden.

‘We sent a number of ambulance crews to the scene including an incident response officer, specialist responders, motorbike and advanced paramedics. The trauma team from London’s Air Ambulance also attended by car.

‘We worked closely with other members of the emergency services at the scene and treated a total of four patients.

‘A man was treated for a serious leg injury and taken to a major trauma centre as a priority.

‘Two other patients were treated for minor injuries and also taken to hospital. A fourth patient was checked over at the scene.’

The area is particularly busy at this time of year as the city gears up for Christmas.

The black cab crashed near Southampton Street (Picture: PA/Ed Hoppitt)

Witness Daan Fuldner told Metro.co.uk: ‘I did not see what happened, I saw a lot of people running away screaming while I was around the corner.

‘I was going in the direction of the incident and after a while continued in that direction.

‘People in that area said a cab driver lost control and drove into the sidewalk. Police arrived shortly after.’

A4 Strand is closed in both directions at Southampton Street due to a serious collision. Q to Charing Cross Station. pic.twitter.com/lCCDEMuuEz — TfL Traffic News (@TfLTrafficNews) November 1, 2017

He also tweeted: ‘A fucking cab just crashed into the sidewalk at #CoventGarden and everyone ran away panicking.

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‘Area cleared by private security and Mets, at least 10 cops present within 2 mins.

‘Lots of sirens, more police coming right now. Cops clearing more space, want to keep the area clear but seem very much on edge.

‘More police, area around cab clear. Seems to be no danger but still lots of officers around and keep asking people to leave.’

More police, area around cab clear. Seems to be no danger but still lots of officers around and keep asking people to leave #coventgarden pic.twitter.com/GXDcIWiHUz — Daan Fuldner (@DaanFul) November 1, 2017

Just came within meters of being hit by a vehicle that mounted the pavement and ploughed into people. #CoventGarden people down under taxi ? pic.twitter.com/1J9dtK7xUb — Ed Hoppitt (@edhoppitt) November 1, 2017

The Met Police said in a statement: ‘Police were called at 17:01hrs on Wednesday, 1 November to reports of a taxi in collision with pedestrians in Southampton Street, WC2.

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‘Officers and the other emergency services attended the scene. We are aware of injuries but await further confirmation.

‘The driver of the taxi stopped at the scene and has been detained by police.

‘This is being treated as a serious road traffic collision, and not thought to be terrorist related.’