Man and dog saved in river rescue
RNLI CALLED TO HELP AFTER TWO STUCK ON EMBANKMENT WALL
THIS is the dramatic moment a man and a dog were rescued from the River Thames by RNLI lifeboat crew.
It appears a dog was taken off his leash and accidentally fell into the chilly waters near St Thomas’ Hospital in central London.
A man was found balanced on chains attached to the embankment wall, clutching the dog which had jumped over the wall and landed in the fast moving water.
A lifesaving crew from Tower RNLI launched into action at the request of the UK Coastguard just after 7.45pm on Sunday June 11, taking over from the Metropolitan Police boat in attendance.
Mick Nield, Tower RNLI lifeboat crew member, said: “As we neared Westminster Bridge we were given an update that, indeed, a member of the public had entered the river to try to help.
“We arrived on scene with the police boat and could see a man stood on the rescue chains attached to the Embankment wall.
“He was stood waterline with the dog in his hands.”
The crew positioned the lifeboat against the wall so the dog could be safely handed over, then the man was recovered into the lifeboat. They then discovered the man was not the dog’s owner and had left his own dog to enter the river and help.
The dog’s owner and shivering pooch were reunited, but the RNLI has urged people not to jump into the dangerous waters to attempt a rescue.
“It appears the dog was let off its leash and without a thought leaped over the wall into the river,” said Mr Nield.
“We were just glad both the man and the dog were OK.
“Both were very fortunate. Whilst this was a brave act, the RNLI would not usually encourage people to go into rivers or the sea to save animals, as more often than not the person themselves can get into danger, further escalating the danger and the need for a rescue.
“The water can be very cold and, on such a busy stretch of the river, there is a considerable amount of river traffic.
“If you see anyone in difficulty in the Thames, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.”