Prince Harry shocked as motorbike outrider smashes head-on into taxi

Prince Harry was caught up in a high speed crash when one of his police outriders collided head on with a taxi as the motorcade headed to an official engagement.

The Prince appeared shocked as his bodyguards treated both the unconscious driver – who had to be cut from his vehicle by firemen – and the police rider, who was thrown 30ft down the road after the impact.

Pictures taken in the aftermath of the accident in central London show the wrecked police motorbike embedded in the white Toyota Prius, as the driver lies injured in his seat surrounded by deployed airbags, the Daily Mail reported.

According to one witness, the prince’s Range Rover, which was taking him to an Invictus Games event in north London, took evasive action.

The driver, apparently fearing a potential terrorist attack, steered his vehicle through the damaged vehicles at speed before coming to a stop a several hundred feet up the road.

The bystander said he saw Harry sat in the back of the car with his head in his hands, constantly looking backwards at the injured men.

The prince was insistent they stopped but security advice was for his car to drive on. Other officers did stop to attend the incident.

Last night the rider from the Special Escort Group was discharged from hospital, while the driver was said to be in a ‘stable’ condition.

^{Prince Harry at the Invictus Games (Rex)}

The Metropolitan Police also began an investigation into the accident, which occurred at around 9.40am on Prince Albert Road, adjacent to Regent’s Park and London Zoo.

A cyclist, who wishes to remain anonymous, saw the convoy – of two blacked out Range Rovers and four motorbike outriders – pass him at “incredibly high speed”.

He said: “I first heard whistles behind me as the motorbikes approached and a convoy suddenly raced past me, going around a roundabout the wrong way.

He said: “I decided to speed up to see if I could catch up with them. I really wanted to know who it was.

“I didn’t see the actual crash but came across it just seconds after it had happened. There was debris everywhere, steam coming out of the car bonnet. It was carnage.”

Royal aides confirmed last night that Prince Harry’s convoy had been involved in the crash but that he hadn’t been injured.

“The police were fantastic and sped into action, assessing those who were injured and treating them until the ambulances arrived,” a source on the scene said.

Firemen were forced to cut the roof off the Prius off to pull its driver from the wreckage. The smashed vehicles were still on the road several hours after the accident, with traffic diverted to avoid the scene.

According to sources, Harry’s convoy waited to assess the situation before continuing on to Lee Valley Park in North London where the athletics event of his Invictus Games, a Paralympic-style event for injured servicemen and women, was being held.

The prince spent the day cheering on competitors accompanied by his brother, Prince William, and father, Prince Charles.

A spokesman for Prince Harry said last night: ‘The prince was obviously very concerned and wanted to make sure the men were OK. He is relieved to hear they are both in a stable condition.’

A source close to Harry said the prince was insistent they stop and help, even though his security advice would have been to drive on.

"It was clearly a shocking incident but he was pleased the officers were able to stop and administer important immediate first aid," they said.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said last night: “At about 09:40hrs today, Thursday, 11 September, at Prince Albert Road/Junction with Regents Park, London, NW1, a police motorcyclist was involved in a collision with a Toyota Prius.

“The police motorcyclist was displaying warning lights, as it was providing security escort at the time.

“The male rider of the police motor vehicle suffered injuries. He has been taken to hospital for treatment. His condition at this early stage is described as stable.

“The male driver of the Prius also suffered injuries. He was taken to hospital for treatment. His condition at this early stage is also described as stable.

“The condition of the injured parties is not thought to be life threatening at this stage. Police officers remained at the scene and provided assistance.

“The London Fire Brigade were in also attendance and worked to release the driver of the Prius from his vehicle.

“Officers from the Met’s Road Traffic Investigation Unit are investigating. Enquiries continue and no arrests have been made.”