Emergency response as boat capsizes on Wiltshire canal with man on board

Firefighters helped rescue a man from the Kennet and Avon Canal after his boat capsized.

Emergency services rushed to Frome Road in Bradford on Avon at around midday following reports of a man in the water, struggling to get out.

Police officers, two ambulances and two fire crews attended the incident near The Lock Inn Cafe.

Advertisement

At the scene, a Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service officer told Wiltshire 999s that they were called to rescue a boat owner who had fallen in when his large wooden kayak capsized next to the lock gate.

On arrival, crews directed the owner to a point of safety – where they were able self-rescue without any further assistance from firefighters.

Firefighters were able to remove the boat’s fuel tank from the vessel in order to minimize the environmental impact. Working with the Canal and River Trust, crews will later remove the boat from the water.

The incident has caused some canal traffic, with the capsized boat blocking the waterway.

The boat owner is not believed to have been injured in the incident.

Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and get breaking news sent directly to your mobile – don’t forget to turn on notifications by clicking the bell icon.

Click a topic to read more stories like this:

Keep Up to Date with the Most Important News

By pressing the Subscribe button, you confirm that you have read and are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Advertisement