Kayakers Save Woman Who Fell from Hammersmith Bridge
Praise for river rescue 'heroes' from London Sports Trust Blades
The rescue as it happened under Hammersmith Bridge
Young kayakers with London Sport Trust Blades have rescued a woman who had fallen into the Thames from Hammersmith Bridge.
The Evening Standard reports that bystanders crossing the bridge applauded as the kayakers belonging to the Blades, who are based at nearby Fulham Reach Boat Club rushed to save the woman from drowning or being swept away.
She was seen to fall from the bridge, currently closed to traffic, just before 6.30pm on Monday evening, and her cries were heard by a kayaking instructor training six students in the water below.
John Fegan, 59, told the Standard he heard screams before the instructor paddled over and allowed her to grab his boat for support.
His students — who included children — then surrounded the woman to stop her being swept down river.
"They were heroes," Mr Fegan said. "There were people screaming because it was a really high tide in Hammersmith and people thought she would be swept out to sea.
"The kayakers were the heroes for saving her. They grouped around her and got her to shore.
"She was screaming when she was in the water. It was incoherent but she seemed to be screaming for help," he added.
Another woman who entered the water to help was also shepherded back to the riverbank by the kayakers before being given medical treatment.
Mr Fegan, a construction worker, said: "Everyone was trying to help and one woman got in the water to try and bring her a life-ring, but she couldn’t reach her because of the tide.
"About ten people in earshot called emergency services. The woman in the water tried to rescue her, she was trying.
"There was a massive round of applause when the kayakers got her out. It was a good outcome."
Hammersmith Bridge has been closed to traffic since April after checks revealed critical safety faults, but remains open to pedestrians and cyclists.
Police said they were called to reports of a woman falling into the water at Hammersmith Bridge and she was rescued before officers got there.
A spokesman added: "She was taken to a west London hospital, where she was subsequently sectioned under the Mental Health Act. Her condition is not believed to be life threatening."
An RNLI spokesman said: "A lifeboat was called to Hammersmith Bridge but once it arrived on scene the people involved in the incident were already safe on shore."
The rescuer's quick response was praised on Twitter by sporting colleagues at Canoe London, who gave it a thumbe up at @CanoeLondon saying: "Quick thinking by kayakers from @LdnSportsTrust = a life saved at Hammersmith Bridge yesterday evening."
Educational charity Urbanwise tweeted @urbanwiselondon: "Well done @LdnSportsTrust kayakers!" and London Sports Trust answered @LdnSportsTrust:" Thanks @urbanwiselondon proud of our coaches and junior kayakers. Everyone ok now."
October 2, 2019