A serious collision between a pedal-powered rickshaw and a double-decker bus brought a swathe of Central London to a standstill this afternoon, resulting in a major emergency service response and one person being rushed to hospital.
The incident occurred on the bustling thoroughfare of Piccadilly, a stone's throw from the iconic Piccadilly Circus, at approximately 1:20 PM. Eyewitnesses reported a loud crash as the two vehicles collided, causing immediate chaos on the usually busy street.
Emergency services, including multiple police units, ambulance crews, and an incident response officer, descended on the scene within minutes. The London Ambulance Service confirmed they treated a person at the location for injuries before transporting them to a major trauma centre for further treatment.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated: "We were called to reports of a collision involving a bus and a pedicab on Piccadilly. One person was treated by LAS at the scene and has been taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Road closures are in place and motorists are advised to avoid the area."
The aftermath of the crash led to significant traffic disruption throughout the West End. Police cordoned off a large section of Piccadilly, diverting buses and causing gridlock in the surrounding areas of St James's and Soho. The cordon remained in place for several hours while officers conducted their initial investigations.
Transport for London (TfL) has been notified of the incident. The collision will likely reignite the ongoing debate about the regulation and safety of pedal rickshaws, commonly known as pedicabs, which operate in the capital's congested centre.
