Putney Bridge closed for hours after Friday night emergency – Putney.news

# Putney Bridge closed for hours after Friday night emergency

Police, fire crews and rescue boats brought both approaches to a standstill.

June 12, 2026

2 minute read

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UPDATED Putney Bridge was closed in both directions from around approximately 8pm on Friday, with a large emergency service presence on both sides of the bridge.

Multiple police cars, three fire engines, and an ambulance were deployed across both approaches. Two rescue boats, one fire rescue vessel and one lifeboat, were in the water on either side of the bridge. The closure followed concern for a man on the outside of the bridge, with whom police negotiators spoke over a sustained period.

Pedestrians were cleared from the bridge and turned away at both ends. All bus services crossing the bridge were turned around, and traffic built up on both sides with no vehicles able to cross. On a Friday evening, the closure affected routes across southwest London. Putney.news was at the scene.

#### A long closure into the night

By around 10.52pm, the emergency vehicles had left the scene, but the bridge remained closed. The man was no longer on the outside of the bridge. Police at the scene said the closure was likely to continue through the night.

Drivers were advised to avoid the area and use Wandsworth Bridge as the nearest alternative crossing. Hammersmith Bridge remains under traffic restrictions.

It is the second time in fifteen months that Putney Bridge has been closed by a major emergency response. In March 2025 the bridge was shut for several hours during a morning concern-for-welfare incident.

Thet Met said in a statement on Saturday:

Police were called at 19:06hrs on Friday, 12 June following concern for the safety of a man on Putney Bridge.

Officers attended the scene, alongside the London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service.

No arrests were made, the man engaged with officers at the location and Putney Bridge was reopened at 23:08hrs.

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If you are affected by any of the issues in this article, the Samaritans can be contacted free, day or night, on 116 123, or by email at jo@samaritans.org.

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Source: putney.news

Friday 12 June 2026·3 min read·