Dramatic moment man is rescued from Thames by lifeboat crew

A man has been plucked from the freezing Thames by the crew of the Chiswick lifeboat.

The RNLI – which has four stations along the river – was alerted after the man was seen in the water near Battersea heliport in Wandsworth.

The E-class Dougie and Donna B was launched from Chiswick Pier within 90 seconds to reach Battersea Reach in several minutes.

The crew administered CPR before the unnamed man was handed over to the London Ambulance Service. His condition is unknown.

The inquiry into the Marchioness disaster, which saw 51 people drown after the pleasure steamer was hit by the dredger Bowbelle, recommended the Thames have a 24/7 Search and Rescue facility, capable of reaching anyone in the capital’s river within 15 minutes.