Teddington RNLI rescue walkers by the Thames during training
Teddington RNLI took to the water on Sunday 7th April when two walkers, one pregnant, were cut off by the fast-rising Thames tide.
Two walkers had been walking along the path when they noticed that the fast-rising water was beginning to cover it.
They decided to head back to their starting point, Richmond Green, but the water was too fast for them, and they were in trouble.
One of the walkers said, ‘Our main concern at first was getting our trainers a bit wet - little did we know that by the time we tried to make our way to the next available exit, around five minutes walk from our bench, our feet would get more than wet.
The extremely cold water had risen to my knees and the top of my friend’s thighs. We looked for another exit in the opposite direction where the tide was not as high, but every gate
belonged to private property and was locked; the three-metre high wall was too high to climb.
‘We called the police, who told us that a lifeboat would get to us in 15 minutes. At this point we really started to panic, although 15 minutes might not sound like a long time, we were shocked at how quickly the water rose in less than six minutes.
'When I saw the RNLI lifeboat arrive just a few minutes after our call to the police, a weight was immediately lifted off my shoulders. I let them know I was 20 weeks pregnant and feeling sick, and they really looked after both my friend and me - I couldn't be more grateful to the volunteers that day. Without them we could have been done for.’
Walking along the River Thames towpaths during a high or flooding tide can present several hazards, especially if there has been heavy rainfall. The river flow will be faster and more powerful, causing sections of the towpaths to become submerged making it very difficult to see the path, creating an obvious danger near the riverbanks, which shelve off steeply.
Remember even knee-deep water can sweep you off your feet.
If possible, it’s best to anticipate this and avoid walking through flooding or high water. Be aware of your surroundings and when the tide is likely to rise. If you are planning a walk heed any flood warnings and advice, check out http://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk also check the tides herewww.london-tides.com.
However, if you do get trapped by flood water stay calm and look for higher ground, do not attempt to wade through the flood water. Call 999 and ask for the London Coastguard and await rescue.
Notes to editors
· Teddington lifeboat station has been operating since 2002 and is wholly crewed by volunteers
· The RNLI is a charitable organistion funded by donations and legacies
· If you are interested in volunteering with the RNLI, visit https://rnli.org/support-us/volunteer/how-you-can-volunteer
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Gianna Saccomani, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07798905515 or[email protected] or Grace Palmieri, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07855487508 or[email protected], or Hatti Mellor, Regional Media Officer on 07724801305 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.
RNLI at 200
On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrated 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.