Young Woman Killed After Van Goes Airborne on The Strand
A tragic crash outside King’s College London has claimed the life of a young woman in her 20s. Earlier today, a transit-style van smashed through an iron gate, clipped a planter, and became airborne before ploughing into a group of pedestrians on The Strand, central London.
Van Launches Into Crowd Outside King’s College
Witnesses described horror as the van burst from a service yard, crushing an iron gate before hitting a planter and taking off into the air. It slammed into several people, including the woman who was sitting on a bench with friends at the time.
“The iron gate collapsed as the van was coming out at speed,” said eyewitness Josh, who works nearby. “It hit the girl on the bench. You could hear screams, and people ran to help her. Another man was hurt by the falling gate.”
Emergency Services Race to Scene
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Two others were hospitalised – one with potentially life-threatening injuries, the other with minor wounds. A fourth person was treated and discharged.
Police arrested a 26-year-old man suspected of causing death by careless driving and driving under the influence of a controlled drug. He remains in custody.
A major emergency response was launched with multiple ambulances, an air ambulance, police vehicles, and two fire engines with 10 firefighters attending. A forensic tent was erected and a wide area cordoned off near King’s College’s Strand campus, right next to Bush House North.
King’s College Locked Down As Shock Sets In
King’s College London went into lockdown briefly while emergency teams worked. Students were left shaken. PhD student Ali said:
“At first, I thought it was a protest – we get those outside campus. Then I saw stretchers and people being treated. Knowing someone has died is heartbreaking – we pass that crossing every day.”
Community Mourns and Police Appeal for Info
Peter Babington, Priest-in-Charge of St Mary’s le Strand beside the crash site, offered condolences:
“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families involved in this terrible incident.”
The van, badly damaged at the front, came to rest near St Mary’s Church and King’s flags after crashing through a flowerbed.
A Met Police spokesperson said:
“Police were called at 11:41am on Tuesday, 18 March to a collision involving a van and pedestrians near The Strand. A woman in her twenties was sadly pronounced dead. A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and driving under the influence of a controlled drug.”
The crash is not being treated as terror-related. The Strand remains closed westbound from Surrey Street to Waterloo Bridge, with bus routes 9 and 23 diverted.
Witnesses or those with dashcam footage are urged to contact the Met Police on 101, quoting CAD 2771/18MARCH, or via @MetCC.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.
