An off-duty Metropolitan Police officer and an e-scooter rider collided at speed outside Buckingham Palace just after 3 p.m. local time on Friday, sending both to St. Mary’s Major Trauma Centre in Paddington with non-life-threatening injuries.
The crash occurred at the junction of Birdcage Walk and Spur Road, blocking traffic in both directions and forcing Transport for London to reroute buses. Witnesses described a sharp collision followed by skidding sounds, with debris from the e-scooter scattered across the road. Police confirmed the officer was not in uniform at the time and was on a personal e-bike, not an official bicycle.
| Vehicle | Type | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| E-scooter | Electric kick scooter | Estimated 22 mph |
| Police e-bike | Officer’s personal electric bicycle | Estimated 18 mph |
The officer, identified as PC Daniel Mercer, 34, has been with the Met for eight years and was off-duty at the time of the incident. The e-scooter rider, 28-year-old freelance videographer Jamie Reyes, was heading to an assignment near Green Park. Both were assessed at the scene before being transported for further treatment.
Key Points
- ⚠️ Incident occurred at 3:07 p.m. near Victoria Memorial
- 🚑 Both injured but stable; no life-threatening injuries reported
- 🚧 Road closures disrupted central London traffic for two hours
Metropolitan Police confirmed an investigation has been launched into the circumstances, focusing on road-sharing responsibilities and adherence to speed limits in shared zones. The collision comes amid rising concerns over e-scooter use in central London, where rental schemes remain illegal despite widespread private ownership.
💡 Pro Tip
Urban riders should avoid Birdcage Walk entirely during peak hours due to heavy pedestrian and cyclist traffic; consider alternative routes like Horse Guards Road or the Mall for safer commutes.
Transport for London reiterated its stance that private e-scooters are not permitted on public roads or cycle paths, warning riders face fines up to £300 and six penalty points if caught. The Met has not issued a formal statement on whether either party was at fault, but sources close to the investigation suggest conflicting accounts of the collision’s cause.
📋 By The Numbers
- 2 — Total injuries, both non-life-threatening
- 2 hours — Duration of road closures
- £300 — Maximum fine for illegal e-scooter use
E-scooter advocates argue the incident highlights the need for regulated rental schemes, pointing to cities like Paris and Barcelona where micromobility options have reduced car dependency. However, opponents cite safety risks, including a 40% increase in e-scooter-related injuries in London over the past 12 months, according to NHS data.
- Rising tensions — The collision follows a recent crackdown on illegal e-scooter use in Westminster, where officers seized 112 devices in May alone.
- Policy gap — Private e-scooters operate in a legal grey area; rental schemes remain stalled due to safety and insurance concerns.
- Public safety — The Met is reviewing whether to issue new guidance for officers using personal e-bikes in high-traffic areas.