Woman dies after van ploughs into multiple people in central London as emergency services rush to the scene

A woman in her twenties has died after a van ran over multiple people in Central London, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed.

Emergency services flocked to the scene near Somerset House following the crash at 11.41pm.

A 26-year-old was arrested at the scene on suspicion causing death by careless driving and driving with concentration of specified controlled drug above specified limit.

The Met said: “Police are on scene and dealing with a collision close to The Strand, WC2.

“Officers were called at 11:41hrs on Tuesday, 18 March following a collision involving a van and pedestrians.

“Three pedestrians suffered injuries, with a woman in her twenties sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Two pedestrians have been taken to hospital, one has potentially life-threatening injuries, and the other has minor injuries.”

“The driver of the van, a 26-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion causing death by careless driving and driving with concentration of specified controlled drug above specified limit.”

The force said that he remains in custody.

It confirmed that enquiries are ongoing and a crime scene is in place.

“This collision is not being treated as terrorism-related.”

Police have cordoned off a section of the Strand following the incident.

Personnel from London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service are also present on the scene.

The Strand is closed from Surrey Street to Waterloo Bridge. It is understood eastbound traffic can still use the road.

A student at nearby King’s College London told LBC: “No one knew what was going on. Lots of police tape, shouting and everyone sort of just stood there.”

They added: “We saw people lying down with people with ambulances around them… Everyone’s kind of shocked, I guess.”

Another student told the BBC he saw a van “ram into a fence”.

He said: “The van came from one of the side roads by the Indian embassy and then at this point – I didn’t see how or when – crashed into the people.”