Theresa May's convoy is involved in 'accidental' crash in Belgium leaving two police motorcyclists injured

  • Mrs May visiting graves of soldiers to mark 100th anniversary of First World War
  • Police have said it was an 'unfortunate accident' on the A7 near Mons today
  • Riders were hit by a car in same convoy as PM and Belgium's Charles Michel 

Two motorcycle outriders leading a convoy containing Theresa May crashed today after they were knocked down by a car in an 'unfortunate accident' during her Armistice visit to Belgium.

The collision happened on the A7 near Mons where Mrs May had been visiting the graves of British soldiers to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

The two motorcyclists were escorting the British PM and her Belgian counterpart Charles Michel as they headed towards France to meet President Macron for lunch.

Mr Michel, who is a keen motorcylist, is said to have got out to check on the men but Mrs May stayed in her vehicle.

Theresa May was with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel (pictured together today) when the two outriders crashed in their convoy in an 'unfortunate accident'

Theresa May was with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel (pictured together today) when the two outriders crashed in their convoy in an 'unfortunate accident'

Theresa May has held talks with Emmanuel Macron over lunch in the French town of Albert today before attending Armistice commemorations

Theresa May held talks with Emmanuel Macron in the French town of Albert today before attending Armistice commemorations following the accidental car crash

The incident was on the A7 near Mons where Mrs May had been visiting the graves of British soldiers

The incident was on the A7 near Mons where Mrs May had been visiting the graves of British soldiers

The outriders were taken to hospital and De Standaard quoted Belgian premier Michel's spokesman describing the incident as an 'unfortunate accident'. 

Mrs May's car was ahead, was not involved in the accident and continued driving.

Downing Street confirmed Mrs May had not been involved in the accident but said it would not comment further.

It is thought no-one was seriously injured in the crash involving one of the vehicles accompanying Mr Michel's car.

Mrs May is currently having a working lunch with French President Emmanuel Macron in Albert and is due to lay a wreath at the Thiepval Memorial this afternoon.

The ceremony at the memorial has been slightly delayed.

Earlier Mrs May quoted First World War poetry while she thanked fallen troops for being 'staunch to the end against odds uncounted' as she paid her respects to mark the centenary of Armistice.

Theresa May is visiting war cemeteries in Belgium and France alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel.

Starting in Mons on Friday morning, Mrs May and Mr Michel were escorted through the St Symphorien Military Cemetery by Commonwealth War Graves Commission representative Liz Sweet.

The cemetery was set up by the German army as a final resting place for British and German soldiers killed at the Battle of Mons.

The pair were greeted by a guard of honour from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and stood for the sound of The Last Post before a minute's silence.

Dressed in a black coat and knee-high patent boots, Mrs May was sombre as she laid wreaths at the graves of Private John Parr of the Middlesex Regiment, who died on August 21 1914 - the first UK soldier to be killed in the conflict. 

A sombre Prime Minister Theresa May lays a wreath at the grave of John Parr, the first British soldier to be killed in 1914, at the St Symphorien Military Cemetery in Mons, Belgium, while the country's Prime Minister Charles Michel watches on today

A sombre Prime Minister Theresa May lays a wreath at the grave of John Parr, the first British soldier to be killed in 1914, at the St Symphorien Military Cemetery in Mons, Belgium, while the country's Prime Minister Charles Michel watches on today

 

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