Six hurt as Tower Bridge lift drops

Monday 11 May 2009 15:05 BST
Comments

London's Tower Bridge was closed to traffic today after six people were injured in a lift in the Victorian structure's north tower.

London Ambulance service said four men and two women suffered lower leg injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital. All were conscious.

City of London Police said they had been called shortly after 1pm to reports that people were trapped in a lift.

All had now been freed, a police spokeswoman said.

"There has been an incident involving a passenger lift on the north side of Tower Bridge," the City of London Corporation said on its website, without elaborating.

A City of London Corporation spokeswoman said: "The incident happened when the lift to the Tower Bridge exhibition was on the way down. It did not fall from the top, it fell the last 10ft - it suddenly dropped.

"The door automatically opened. Six people were injured. We were told they were lower limb injuries, such as broken ankles and legs. They have been sent to St Thomas and the Royal London Hospital. The six people included one member of staff and five visitors to the Tower Bridge exhibition.

"About 10 people have left the scene and were uninjured. The lift takes a maximum of 40 people but it is not possible to say exactly how many people were in the lift. We are launching a full investigation on the lift. Tower Bridge exhibition will be closed for the day."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in