UK police release driver detained in London crash

Author: ap
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Britain’s police and emergency services at the scene of an incident in central London, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017. London police say emergency services are outside the Natural History Museum in London after a car struck pedestrians. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

LONDON (AP) London police on Sunday released a 47-year-old man arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving after a car crash outside the Natural History Museum injured 11 people.

Police said Sunday the man was released “under investigation.” He has not been charged or identified. Police have not provided details about the collision.

The crash Saturday afternoon on Exhibition Road in London’s busy museum district was initially feared to be a possible terrorist attack similar to incidents earlier this year when extremists in vehicles attacked pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and on London Bridge.

The concern sparked a substantial police response to the car crash, with numerous ambulances sent to the scene along with a hazardous area response team. Shops were evacuated as a precaution.

Police said after several hours of urgent investigation that it was a road traffic collision not related to terrorism.

Metropolitan Police detective Darren Case said the collision raised fears because of where It occurred and because of the number of pedestrians involved.

“I fully appreciate the concern and alarm this incident caused,” he said.

He said none of the head and leg injuries turned out to be serious and that most of the nine people who had been hospitalized have been released.

Police are asking eyewitnesses, and anyone with photographs or video of the incident, to get in touch to help the inquiry.

Britain’s official terrorist threat level is set at “severe” indicating an attack is likely.

MORE: Police: Car crash in London is traffic accident, not terror

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