Three injured as car smashes into a restaurant in Piccadilly Circus

Three people have been taken to hospital after a car reportedly mounted a pavement and crashed into a restaurant in Piccadilly Circus in central London this evening.

The incident happened at around 6.50pm when a vehicle mounted the pavement and collided with a building on Coventry Street.

Police say that a pedestrian and a passenger in the car were rushed to hospital. The driver was also taken to hospital as a precaution.

Shocking footage online shows a badly damaged car with airbags activated surrounded by passersby in the iconic London landmark.

A huge emergency services presence was quickly in attendance, with at least two ambulances, one fire engine, and four police cars on the scene

Witnesses reported a car mounting the pavement before smashing into a restaurant.

The Met Police said in a statement: “Police were called at approximately 18:50hrs on Tuesday, 12 November to reports of a collision involving a car in Coventry Street, junction with Haymarket, SW1.

“Witnesses reported a car mounted the pavement before colliding with a building. Two people – a pedestrian and a passenger who was in the car – were taken to hospital for treatment.

“The driver of the car was not seriously injured but was taken to hospital as a precaution. No reports of any other serious injuries. Road closures remain in place around the location. Enquiries into the circumstances continue.”

Road closures remain in place around the location. Enquiries into the circumstances continue, the Metropolitan Police Service says.

The force adds that, at this time, the incident is not being treated as terror-related.

Traffic monitoring service Inrix shows significant disruption around the area, with a diversion in place for bus routes.