News

CHAOS on River Thames as packed pleasure boat crashes

There were 150 passengers on board

There was panic on the River Thames when a packed pleasure boat crashed into a river bank.

The boat was carrying over 150 people when it caught fire.

This led the boat losing engine power before careering into a river bank.


The skipper of the white triple-decker boat Erasmus ended up steering the boat towards the bank of the River Thames.

This was near to Canary Wharf pier after both engines failed, the Port of London Authority (PLA) said.

London Fire Brigade said a small fire broke out in the engine room.

They revealed that it was extinguished with a powder extinguisher before fire crews arrived.

(@HpcJohn/PA)

Some 142 passengers and six crew were evacuated, while three crew remained on board.

The boat is now “safe and secure” with its anchor dropped.

It will soon be towed away to begin the investigation into circumstances of the incident, the PLA said.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor