Capital FM presenter Jordan North was dramatically rescued from the River Thames by the RNLI after getting into difficulty while attempting to save a struggling dog near Hammersmith Bridge.
The incident occurred just after 5pm on Monday, 16 December, when the 34-year-old radio host spotted a Labrador in distress during his evening run. North entered the water from a nearby pontoon to assist the dog but soon found himself in trouble.
Swift Rescue Effort
Passers-by who witnessed the incident quickly alerted the RNLI Chiswick lifeboat crew, using their phone lights to guide rescuers to Jordan’s location. The team arrived promptly, finding North sitting on a float lift with the rescued dog.
Speaking about the ordeal on Capital Breakfast, North expressed gratitude for the rescue team:
“A big thank you and a massive shout-out to RNLI Chiswick who came and rescued me because I was getting a bit panicky. I thought, ‘My legs are going to go, I can’t hold on much longer,’ so they got there just in time.”
North went on to praise the crew as the “real heroes” of the day, saying:
“They put a blanket around me and made sure I was okay. They’re the heroes here.”
RNLI’s Advice
Commander Gavin Simmons of the RNLI Thames service praised Jordan’s intentions but reminded the public of the dangers of entering the water unprepared:
“We are on call to help all those who find themselves in difficulty on the water 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, even our beloved pets.
“While we’d always encourage people to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard instead of entering the water themselves, we’re happy that in this instance we were able to help Jordan and the dog safely back to dry land.”
Annual Fundraising Appeal
The rescue comes as the RNLI launches its annual Christmas fundraising appeal, highlighting the organisation’s crucial role during the festive period. RNLI teams launch an average of 100 times during Christmas to save lives, including pets and those caught in dangerous situations.
A Reminder of Heroism
Jordan North, well-known for finishing runner-up in ITV’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2020, has long been loved for his down-to-earth charm. His latest heroic actions, however unintended, have endeared him to fans even further.
