A lorry driver had to be rescued by RNLI lifeboats after his skip truck slipped into the Thames in Twickenham.
The driver was stuck in the vehicle for more than 30 minutes with the tide at its highest point before he could be rescued and London Fire Brigade (LFB) could winch the lorry clear.
He was finally freed by lifeboat volunteers who smashed his window with a hammer and dragged him onto the boat at 3.50pm on Thursday.
He had no injuries.
One birdwatcher unexpectedly captured the moment the lorry entered the river.
Truck fell in river. services @twickerati @TwickTribune @TwickenhamNub #twickenham #riverthames #thames #birds pic.twitter.com/r56E5nca6f
— Thomas Vye (@thomasvye) March 3, 2022
Borough Commander John Snelgrove, who was at the scene, said: “The tide was at its highest point and the water was up to the driver’s side window and prevented him from leaving the vehicle.
“Firefighters secured the skip lorry to stop it from moving further into the water. Thankfully the local RNLI crews arrived and using a hammer from the fire engine broke the passenger’s side window and helped the man into the boat.
“This usual incident shows the breath of work fire crews deal with and good partnership working with key partner agencies.”
One onlooker claimed flooding water in the riverside car park meant the driver was unable to see the edge of the bank.
Photographer Ruth Wadey told Twickenham Nub News: “It’s crazy! Dozens of ambulances, police cars, and fire engines are here.
“I could see the driver moving around in the front of the vehicle.”
The Brigade was called at 3.17pm and said the rescue was over for firefighters by 3.56pm.
