A 26-year-old man has been arrested after a van ploughed into a crowd near King’s College London in central London, leaving one woman dead and two others injured.
Incident Details
The horrific crash occurred just before 12pm on March 18, 2025, near Aldwych, in the Strand area of London.
• A woman in her twenties was pronounced dead at the scene.
• One victim has suffered potentially life-threatening injuries.
•Another sustained minor injuries and has been taken to hospital.
#BREAKINGLocation:UKA tragic accident took place near The Strand, next to King's College in central London, when a van struck pedestrians. A woman in her 20s lost her life, while two others were hospitalized. The driver, a 26-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of drug-driving.
— The Sphere Report (@thespherereport.bsky.social) 2025-03-18T14:52:07.325Z
Driver Arrested at the Scene
The van driver, a 26-year-old man, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of:
• Causing death by careless driving.
• Driving under the influence of a specified controlled drug above the legal limit.
He remains in custody as Metropolitan Police continue investigations.
Emergency Response
The crash prompted an immediate emergency response, with multiple ambulances, fire engines, and police officers arriving at the scene.
•Armed police were also spotted at the location.
• Paramedics treated casualties on the ground near King’s College London and Somerset House.
•Eyewitnesses described the situation as chaotic, with people lying injured on the pavement.
Eyewitness Accounts
A van has crashed into multiple pedestrians on The Strand, near King's College London.Emergency services, including police, fire crews, and paramedics, are at the scene. Authorities confirm the incident is not terror-related.#London #TheStrand
— British Pakistani Index (@pakistaniindex.bsky.social) 2025-03-18T13:22:16.400280Z
King’s College student Miles Damone described seeing the van ram into a fence near the Indian Embassy before crashing into pedestrians.
He said:
“The van came from one of the side roads by the Indian embassy. I didn’t see how or when it hit the people, but I saw it make a sharp turn and just ram into the fence at the side of the church.”
Another student added:
“We saw people lying down with ambulances around them… Everyone’s kind of shocked.”
Police Statement
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident is not terror-related, saying:
“Officers were called at 11:41 am following a collision involving a van and pedestrians. Three pedestrians suffered injuries, with one woman sadly pronounced dead at the scene.”
“The driver of the van was arrested at the scene and remains in custody. Enquiries are ongoing, and a crime scene is in place.”
Access Restrictions at King’s College London
Following the crash, police restricted access to parts of King’s College London, including:
• King’s Building.
• Bush House’s South and South-East entrances.
Ongoing Investigation
A full forensic examination of the crash site is underway as police continue to gather evidence and review CCTV footage.
Authorities are urging anyone with witness information to contact Met Police or Crimestoppers anonymously.
This devastating incident has left the Strand community in shock, as police work to determine the exact cause of the crash.
