Child suffers potentially life-changing burns after explosion on boat on the River Thames
An 18-month-old child has suffered potentially life-changing burns after a boat exploded on the River Thames.
Wiltshire Police rushed to deal with the blast which sent all people on board into the water on the River Thames in Lechlade, Gloucestershire, at around 12pm on Saturday.
The vessel had been away from the bank on the Wiltshire side of the Thames when it exploded and sent nine panicked adults and children into the river - some of whom 'couldn't swim'.
But two brave 'holidaymakers' who were passing by when the blast occurred rescued many of those struggling in the water before ambulances, fire engines and multiple police units arrived.
Five adults and four children - aged 18 months to seven - were taken to hospital where three people remain in a stable condition.
A toddler was airlifted to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children while another person was also taken by air ambulance to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
However, police said today that two of those hospitalised, including the 18-month-old child, have suffered potentially life-changing burns.
The force say they are still investigating the cause of the explosion.
Detective Superintendent Joe Garrity of Wiltshire Police said: 'Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragic incident.
'It is a miracle there were no fatalities, and much of that must be put down to the response of two holidaymakers from Wales who happened to be passing.
'With no thought for their own safety, they jumped into the Thames to help save the lives of those involved, some of whom couldn't swim.
'It was heroic bravery.
'I would also like to thank Gloucestershire and Thames Valley police officers who were the first to respond to the incident, RAF Fairford who also provided support, and the ambulance and fire services.
'A cordon remains in place on the river to ensure the safety of other canal users and for further inquiries into the cause of the explosion to be carried out.
'The boat itself also needs to be recovered. This scene is likely to remain in place for the next few days.'
Anyone with relevant information has been urged to contact Wiltshire Police quoting log 129 of May 31.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Graham Saville inquest: Sergeant hit by train after officers were 'mislead'
A police officer was struck by a train after "misleading" information was given to officers trying to help a vulnerable man on a railway line, an inquest has Graham Saville was hit after he was deployed to the railway line near Newark, Nottinghamshire, on 24 August survived the impact but died in hospital five days later, a hearing at Nottingham's Council House was Wednesday, the inquest heard officers at the scene were informed Network Rail would be contacted to stop the train, but the call was delayed by five minutes before Sgt Saville was struck. The hearing was told two officers attending the call with Sgt Saville repeatedly told the police dispatcher that the distressed man, referred to in court as Patient C, was near the railway line and had threatened to walk in front of a contact was made with Network Rail to stop the train until 20 seconds before Sgt Saville was struck at 19:08 BST, coroner Laurinda Bower Bower said the two officers were told the police control room was "on to" National Rail and had them "ready to go in case" Patient C went on to the tracks, but "the phone had not been picked up". Jack Richardson, who was working as a Nottinghamshire Police dispatcher for the Newark area that evening, told the court the call to stop trains on the line "should have been made sooner".The coroner asked him if the reassurances given to the officers were "misleading", to which the witness replied: "It could be interpreted that way by the officers, yes".Ms Bower said to Mr Richardson: "It seems to me that there was a five minute delay in seeking to make contact with Network Rail, between officers saying he is looking like he [Patient C] is going to go on to the line... then five minutes lapsing before anyone picks up the phone to get on to Network Rail."It limits the time Network Rail has got to take any effective action."The witness said: "I was not aware that we should be calling Network Rail prior to that. It was my understanding that a call should be made when someone enters a rail network."Mr Richardson agreed it was "obvious" that it would take more than a few seconds to stop a train moving at a speed of up to added: "That call should have been made sooner. Given the new training that's been brought in, Network Rail should be advised, informed, as soon as there is a first mention of someone heading towards the railway network."The inquest had previously heard Patient C had called East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) to say he had overdosed on caffeine and he was was walking towards the railway line, near Hollowdyke Lane in Balderton, with the intention of harming hearing had been told Patient C had a history of "fighting with police" and Sgt Saville had attended because he was trained to use a hearing reporting by Dan Martin If you have been affected by the contents of the article, support is available through the BBC Action Line website.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Police sergeant hit by train after ‘misleading' information given, inquest hears
A police sergeant was struck by a train after 'misleading' information was given to officers trying to help a vulnerable man on a railway line, an inquest has heard. Police officers were told Network Rail would be contacted to stop the train, but the call was delayed by five minutes before Graham Saville was fatally injured in Balderton, near Newark, Nottinghamshire, an inquest into the 46-year-old's death was told. Nottingham Coroner's Court heard that officers attending the incident with Sgt Saville repeatedly told the police dispatcher that the distressed man, referred to in court as Patient C, was near the railway line on the evening of August 24 2023. No contact was made with Network Rail to stop the train until 20 seconds before Sgt Saville was struck at 7.08pm, Nottinghamshire coroner Laurinda Bower told the inquest. Ms Bower said the two officers were told the police control room was 'on to' National Rail and had them 'ready to go in case' Patient C went onto the tracks, but 'the phone had not been picked up'. Jack Richardson, who was working as a Nottinghamshire Police dispatcher for the Newark area that evening, gave evidence to the inquest on Wednesday, and told the court the call to stop trains on the line 'should have been made sooner'. The coroner asked him if the reassurances given to the officers were 'misleading', to which the witness replied: 'It could be interpreted that way by the officers, yes.' Ms Bower said to Mr Richardson: 'It seems to me that there was a five minute delay in seeking to make contact with Network Rail, between officers saying he is looking like he (Patient C) is going to go onto the line… then five minutes lapsing before anyone picks up the phone to get onto Network Rail. 'It limits the time Network Rail has got to take any effective action.' The witness said: 'I was not aware that we should be calling Network Rail prior to that. It was my understanding that a call should be made when someone enters a rail network.' Mr Richardson agreed it was 'obvious' that it would take more than a few seconds to stop a train moving at a speed of up to 125mph. He added: 'That call should have been made sooner. Given the new training that's been brought in, Network Rail should be advised, informed, as soon as there is a first mention of someone heading towards the railway network.' Sgt Saville sustained serious injuries and his life support was withdrawn five days after the collision, the inquest heard. The inquest continues.
Sky News
2 hours ago
- Sky News
Body found in search for Briton who went missing during stag do in Portugal
A body has been found in the search for a missing Scottish man who disappeared while on a stag do in Portugal. Greg Monks, 38, was last seen in Albufeira during the early hours of Wednesday, 28 May, while enjoying the first night of a five-day stay. A major search was launched for the Cambuslang man, with his parents and girlfriend flying out to Portugal to also provide assistance. His sisters, Jillian and Carlyn, previously spoke to Sky News about the family's devastation at his disappearance. Speaking to The UK Tonight with Sarah-Jane Mee before the police's announcement, they described their brother as a "big part of our family". 9:36 Local police confirmed on Wednesday that a body had been found in the Cerro de Aguia area, where Mr Monks was believed to have been last seen. A statement by Portuguese police said the body was located on a vacant and uneven lot. The force added: "After the competent judicial inspection has been carried out, the body will be removed to the area's legal medicine office for an autopsy to be performed." Mr Monks was earlier described by his sisters as a "real family man". When his family arrived in Albufeira, police told them they had spotted Mr Monks twice on CCTV footage walking around the residential area. The area where he was last seen - more than an hour's walk from the Albufeira Strip - had a lot of rough terrain, including rocky outcrops and cliffs. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it was supporting Mr Monks' family and was "in contact with the local authorities".
