River Thames boat capsizes with six aboard; search launched for missing person

11 October 2024 , 16:41

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Police at the scene in Sunbury Lock near Wheatleys Eyot in Surrey ( Image: UKNIP)

Emergency services rushed to Sunbury Lock near Wheatleys Eyot in Surrey following reports of a small boat in trouble this morning. Five people were rescued and one is missing

A boat with six people on board capsized in a river this morning, sparking a search for a missing person.

Emergency services including Surrey Police, firefighters and paramedic rushed to Sunbury Lock near Wheatleys Eyot in Surrey following reports of a small boat in trouble at around 8.50am. Police believe that there were six people involved in the incident, five of which have been safely located. 

Three of the five people rescued have been taken to hospital. One person remains missing. As the rescue operation continues, residents have been asked to avoid the area.

A spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance told Surrey Live: "South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) was called to reports of a number of people in difficulty in the water at Sunbury Lock, near Wheatleys Eyot reported to us at approximately 08:59 today, (11 October). 

"Ambulance crews including our Hazardous Area Response Team attended the scene alongside police and fire service colleagues. Five people were brought to safety, three of whom have been taken to St Peter’s Hospital for further checks."

Elizabeth Baker