Two Men Plucked from Thames Near Putney Bridge
In a dramatic rescue on Friday evening, two men were saved from the icy waters of the River Thames near Putney Bridge by London Fire Brigade’s fire boat crew.
Capsized Boat Sparks Emergency Rescue
The fire crew arrived to find a small boat, tethered to a larger vessel, had capsized. One man was already in the water but was quickly helped onto the swamped larger boat by his crew mate.
With the larger boat taking on water, firefighters jumped into action. They rescued both men from the struggling vessel and safely transported them back to shore aboard the fire boat.
Life Jackets Prove Crucial, Fire Brigade Warns
One man was treated by London Ambulance Service for hypothermia and water ingestion. Thankfully, he was wearing a life jacket during the ordeal.
Emma Fraser, Water Safety Lead, said: “This incident shows the importance of wearing life jackets. The man who was rescued by his crew-mate was wearing one. Ensuring your life jacket is in good condition and wearing it properly can help save your life.”
“Always wear a life-jacket or other buoyancy aid when travelling on boats or for water-side activities such as angling or boating.”
Swift Fire Brigade Response
The Brigade received the emergency call at 8:05pm and wrapped up the rescue by 10:30pm. A crew from Lambeth fire station was on the scene assisting throughout the operation.
