BOATMEN from Hobbs were hailed heroes after they rescued six people that found themselves trapped on the Thames.
The have-a-go heroes rescued four pensioners from a hire boat last Thursday and, on Saturday, two men were helped out of the river after their double scull capsized.
On the same day, a further five people were rescued by a diligent lock-keeper at Hambleden Lock.
Kim Clifford, 42, and Darren Martin, 35, conducted the rescue mission last Thursday to save four elderly passengers who found themselves trapped when their boat turned on its side and became pinned to Henley Bridge by the strong current.
"Whenever there is a strong stream you are always on the look-out in case something goes wrong," said Kim, who has worked for Hobbs for the last 27 years.
"They were extremely lucky that nobody was hurt. If someone had got themselves stuck between the boat and the bridge itself they would have been killed, such was the force of the impact.
"Darren and I saw two hire boats heading down the river, the first went through the bridge OK but the second one got their approach all wrong and slammed into the side of the bridge, causing a lot of damage.
"We ran and got our boat and managed to grab hold of their stern line so we could pull the boat away from the bridge and push it safely through the other side," he added.
Henley Bridge is notorious for boatmen to navigate, due to its being built on an angle with the current running across it. It is therefore easier to go through via the Henley bank rather than the Berkshire bank.
Hobbs’ heroes were called into action again on Saturday when a double scull from the Phyllis Court Rowing Club capsized by the Red Lion Hotel and two men in their 60s succumbed to the strong current.
"On Saturday morning the river was at its highest," said Colin Hinton, 58, marine engineer at Hobbs for the last 43 years. "It is an absolute nightmare when the red boards are out as it signifies when the river is at its most dangerous.
"I was moored up by the pub when I noticed a double scull capsized and pinned down to the buoys down the Regatta course. Two men in their 60’s, one laying on top of three booms, using them like a bed, with a life-jacket on and another, without a life-jacket, was clinging onto the side.
"I rushed down there as quickly as I could. The man with the life-jacket on appeared to be safe but I couldn’t get close enough without squashing the man in the water so I had to get him to shimmy across towards me so I could grab hold of him. It was lucky they were both unharmed."
In Hambleden the Thames got up to a speed of seven knots, a party of four men and one woman found themselves trapped against the weir at the lock.
The relief lock-keeper, who didn’t want to be named, shut three of the weir gates, reducing the amount of flow pushing the boat onto the weir, and the boaters threw him a line, which he used to guide them to a safe mooring.
Chris Quinton, watch manager at Henley fire station, who attended the scene, said: "The outcome could have been very, very different if it wasn’t for the lightening-quick reactions of the lock-keeper to close the weir and diffuse the situation as quickly as he did.
"Lock-keepers have endured a torrid time with them not knowing where their future lies, as many faced the prospect of being made redundant and losing their homes. This act of heroism is very poignant in their struggle for recognition for the invaluable work that they do."
The Environment Agency placed red boards along the Thames throughout the four-day period to indicate a strong current. They strongly advise to seek a secure mooring and to stop navigating the river until the notices are withdrawn.
Anyone thinking of navigating on the river is advised to contact Floodline on: 0845 988 1188 and select option 1 for the river conditions.
Published on 13 June 2008
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