A police vehicle responding to an incident has crashed through the railings of Ryde Pier on the Isle of Wight and become wedged in the resulting gap. The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary car struck another vehicle shortly before 10:10 BST, with the impact sending it through the pier's protective barriers. Two people trapped inside the vehicle were rescued by firefighters, and no injuries were reported.
The force confirmed that the police car had been en route to respond to an incident when the collision occurred. Following the crash, access to the pier has been completely closed to both vehicles and pedestrians, and the Wightlink Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier Head FastCat service has been suspended.
What happens next to the vehicle and pier?
Before the police car can be safely removed from its precarious position, a structural safety assessment of the pier must be completed. Wightlink, the pier operator, stated in a statement that
a structural safety assessment will now take place before the vehicle can be safely removed.The company also confirmed that
customers with vehicles parked at the end of Ryde Pier will not be issued with parking tickets while the pier remains closed.
Wightlink added:
We apologise for the disruption and will continue to keep customers updated.
How does this affect transport on the pier?
Ryde Pier serves multiple transport functions beyond vehicle access. The Island Line Train operates along the pier between Ryde Pier Head station and Ryde Esplanade, and the pier also contains a dedicated walkway alongside the vehicle lane. The full closure affects all these services while the structural assessment and vehicle recovery take place.
Key Facts
- A police vehicle responding to an incident collided with another vehicle on Ryde Pier shortly before 10:10 BST
- The impact forced the police car through the pier's railings, leaving it wedged in the gap
- Two people were rescued from the vehicle by firefighters with no injuries reported
- The pier remains closed to all vehicles and pedestrians pending a structural safety assessment
- The Wightlink FastCat ferry service between Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head has been suspended
