Four people have been injured - one seriously - after a taxi crashed into pedestrians in central London.

Three of those were taken to hospital and a fourth person was treated at the scene after the incident near Covent Garden. Police quickly ruled out terrorism as a possible cause.

The Metropolitan Police said the collision occurred on Southampton Street, which links the Strand to the concentration of shops and bars in Covent Garden.

A spokesperson told The Independent the incident was not terror related but the exact cause of the crash is not yet known.

It comes less than 24 hours after eight people were killed in New York when a truck was driven into cyclists and pedestrians, in what authorities are treating as a terror attack.

Stuart Crichton of London Ambulance Service said: "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."

In a brief statement released soon after the crash to dispel any speculation about a terror-motive, the Met said: "Police were called at 17:01hrs to reports of a taxi in collision with pedestrians in Southampton Street WC2. Officers are at the scene.

"Not thought to be terrorist related. Update to follow."

In an update, the Met added: "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."

With the public on high alert following the attack in downtown Manhattan, social media was awash with people speculating about the Covent Garden crash.

One witness, Adam Lake, said: "Never seen so much panic. People running. All Covent Garden and Strand closed off."

Others urged people to "pray for Covent Garden".