Muddy man seen in cuffs after ‘jumping into River Thames’ to escape police

A driver allegedly dived into the River Thames to try and flee police who chased him for ten miles.

Police chased a car from Heathrow all the way to Kew Bridge with the pursuit ending in a three-car crash.

Shortly after a suspect was reportedly seen jumping into the River Thames with police in pursuit.

A topless man was pictured being detained by officers who caught up with him on the muddy banks of the landmark river at 2pm on Sunday.

Met Police said a woman, in her 80s, was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital after the crash on the bridge.

Her injuries were deemed non-life threatening nor life changing, police said.

A man, in his 50s, was also taken to hospital as a precaution.

Witnesses claimed the suspect’s tyres had been burst and sounded like it was ‘driving on rims’ when it came over the bridge.

Witness Ethan Connelly was coming back from a visit to Kew Gardens when he saw police catch up with the man.

He told Metro: ‘We were walking along the Thames path back from towards the bridge.

‘Along the way we passed three or four groups of officers and also the group with the man in handcuffs on the bank.

‘We saw him get taken away. We heard that he had crashed on the bridge and jumped into the river. I hope everyone involved is okay.’

A Met spokesman told Metro: ‘Officers on patrol attempted to pull over a car on the M4, near Heathrow Airport, which had previously failed to stop for police.

‘The driver of the vehicle failed to stop. He was pursued by officers before being involved in a collision with three cars on Kew Bridge Road.

‘Following the collision, the driver, 25, fled the vehicle and entered the river before being detained by officers.

They added: ‘He was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, theft and possession of an offensive weapon. He remains in custody.’

The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) has been informed.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.