Latest news with #RiverGreatOuse
BBC News
7 days ago
- BBC News
West Lynn and King's Lynn Ferry to reopen 'during school holidays'
A small passenger ferry which runs across the River Great Ouse is set to reopen during the school holidays, a councillor service was previously closed in January after the stairs to the boat, at West Lynn and King's Lynn in Norfolk, were damaged, and fears about passenger safety were raised. Norfolk County Council and West Norfolk Council funded repairs at a cost of £100,000. West Norfolk Borough Councillor Michael De Whalley confirmed the ferry would be back up and running "during the school holidays", with most schools in the county breaking up on 22 July. There has been a ferry service across the river for 600 years, the council said. Ben Ellis, who runs the West Lynn Ferry, said he had struggled to support himself financially since the closure in January. After taking the ferry out on a practice run across the Great Ouse, he said: "You've got the tide and the wind that wants to push me in the mud on the West Lynn side."I thought I'd have to have several attempts to get back on the west Lynn steps and the King's Lynn steps, but it's just like riding a bike".Mr Ellis was keen to get back to transporting passengers as soon as possible but admitted the early alarms were going to be a challenge. "I'm down here for about half five, quarter to six," he added."Just to get all the boats ready, fuelled up and get them all set". De Whalley thanked ferry users for their patience while the work took place and said he was excited to see it return. "The main issue has been safety," he said."We've had to review root and branch safety measures for the ferry operation at both landing stages. It's been complicated by working on a 190-year-old jetty". Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Four people and 22 animals rescued from river
Several people and a 22 animals have been rescued after a boat ran aground and sank in a town centre river overnight. One person was taken to hospital with minor injuries after the boat started to take on water in the River Great Ouse in King's Lynn, Norfolk at about 22:00 BST on Tuesday. Three other people were on board, along with 15 dogs, three cats, two parrots, a snake and a tortoise which an RNLI Hunstanton crew reported rescuing. The four people were assessed by paramedics after an "emergency evacuation was conducted", an HM Coastguard spokesperson said. The fire service was also in attendance as well as the East of England Ambulance Service and the coastguard. An HM Coastguard spokesman explained: "HM Coastguard was called to reports of a vessel taking on waters after coming aground in King's Lynn Harbour with multiple persons and animals aboard. "Coastguard rescue teams from Hunstanton and Sutton Bridge were sent, alongside Hunstanton RNLI lifeboat and an RNLI Hovercraft and an emergency evacuation was conducted. Three fire crews and a surface rescue boat were sent to the scene via Ferry Lane at 03:32 and were stood down at 06:26 after helping pass four people into ambulance care. A Hunstanton RNLI spokesman said: "Two men and two women were taken off the vessel by the hovercraft before the crew returned to attempt to rescue animals which were on board. "They saved 15 dogs, three cats, a snake, two parrots and a tortoise. "By 04:15, the boat had sunk." A spokeswoman confirmed Norfolk Police was made aware of the incident but did not attend. It is not clear where the animals were taken. The RSPCA has been contacted. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. HM Coastguard Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service
BBC News
09-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
People and animals rescued from sinking boat in King's Lynn river
Several people and a 22 animals have been rescued after a boat ran aground and sank in a town centre river person was taken to hospital with minor injuries after the boat started to take on water in the River Great Ouse in King's Lynn, Norfolk at about 22:00 BST on other people were on board, along with 15 dogs, three cats, two parrots, a snake and a tortoise which an RNLI Hunstanton crew reported four people were assessed by paramedics after an "emergency evacuation was conducted", an HM Coastguard spokesperson said. The fire service was also in attendance as well as the East of England Ambulance Service and the coastguard. An HM Coastguard spokesman explained: "HM Coastguard was called to reports of a vessel taking on waters after coming aground in King's Lynn Harbour with multiple persons and animals aboard."Coastguard rescue teams from Hunstanton and Sutton Bridge were sent, alongside Hunstanton RNLI lifeboat and an RNLI Hovercraft and an emergency evacuation was conducted. Three fire crews and a surface rescue boat were sent to the scene via Ferry Lane at 03:32 and were stood down at 06:26 after helping pass four people into ambulance care.A Hunstanton RNLI spokesman said: "Two men and two women were taken off the vessel by the hovercraft before the crew returned to attempt to rescue animals which were on board."They saved 15 dogs, three cats, a snake, two parrots and a tortoise."By 04:15, the boat had sunk."A spokeswoman confirmed Norfolk Police was made aware of the incident but did not is not clear where the animals were taken. The RSPCA has been contacted. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
