Mystery as unoccupied houseboat stuffed with Carling lager sinks in canal

30 January 2023 , 00:54

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A riverboat has been found submerged with a crate of lager inside (Image: MEN MEDIA)

A riverboat filled with cans of Carling lager has been found sunken in a canal.

Emergency services following up reports in Salford, Greater Manchester on Friday discovered the vessel almost completely submerged and empty of people - but well-stocked with alcohol.

After securing entry to the waterway, firefighters used underwater cameras to search the contents of the houseboat, which was moored near the Dutton Arms pub on the Bridgewater Canal in Eccles.

They found beer bottles strewn throughout the interior of the houseboat, while a crate of Carling and a pair of old trainers were removed from the scene, the Daily Star reports.

The vessel in Salford, Greater Manchester was searched by firefighters with underwater cameras (MEN MEDIA)

A window was smashed to ensure no one was inside, while a wire hoist and water rescue equipment were also used during the operation.

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A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “Just before 12.30pm on Friday afternoon (27th January), two fire engines from Salford central fire station along with the Technical Rescue Unit from Ashton and the Water Incident Unit from Eccles were called to reports of a submerged boat in Bridgewater Canal, Eccles.

“The crews arrived quickly at the scene. Firefighters used an underwater camera, Tirfor and water rescue equipment to search the houseboat.”

A crate of Carling and a pair of old trainers were removed from the scene (MEN MEDIA)

Last month, a floating steakhouse sank into a lake as horrified shoppers watched it "going down like the Titanic" while restaurant management have blamed "structural issues".

Miller and Carter Lakeside announced they will be closed 'until further notice' after the restaurant started sinking into the water at Lakeside Shopping Centre earlier on Friday.

Two fire engines were involved in the search of the mystery narrowboat (MEN MEDIA)

Restaurant staff had been preparing for lunch service on the boat at the busy Essex shopping centre, when disaster struck.

Photos from the scene show the restaurant leaning precariously, with one onlooker saying it's "going down like the Titanic".

Lakeside Shopping Centre director Howard Oldstein said the steamer had begun to sinkwhile the team was preparing for the lunch service.

Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas