Six police officers have been taken to hospital after a patrol van and a bus collided in south-east London.

The Metropolitan Police van and the red double-decker bus crashed shortly after 11.30am on Kennington Park Road near the Oval cricket ground.

Nine people, including six officers, were taken to hospital with injuries that are not thought to be life-threatening or life-changing.

One Met officer had to be rescued from the patrol van after being trapped inside, as multiple emergency crews flocked to the scene.

Pictures from the scene show that most of the left hand side of the police van has been cut off.

Scotland Yard said in a statement: “Police were called to Kennington Park Road, SE11 at about 11:32hrs on Wednesday, 14 February following reports of a collision involving a police van and a bus.

“Officers attended the scene alongside colleagues in LAS and LFB.

“Nine people were taken to hospital, including six police officers. Their injuries have been assessed as not life threatening or life changing.

“Road closures remain in place while officers deal with the incident and enquiries are ongoing.”

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: “Firefighters were called at 12.11pm to a report of a road traffic collision on Kennington Park Road, SE11. A double-decker bus and a police vehicle were involved. Three people who left the bus before firefighters arrived were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.

“One police officer who was reported to be trapped inside the vehicle was released by firefighters before being taken to hospital. A number of other police officers were also taken to hospital as a precaution.

“Two fire engines from Clapham and Peckham fire stations and a fire and rescue unit from Battersea Fire Station attended the scene.”