Martin P pointed out a news item with a long URL which I struggled to use. I investigated the source and the full text follows from the press report. With Saul Festival officially cancelled earlier this afternoon and the River Severn closed the spectacularly "un-Roving Rally" starts (and finishes) this evening at The Severn Tandoori.
Beeky PRESS REPORT ON GLOS LOCK INCIDENT STARTS HERE Four boat trippers whose vessel was swept away by the current at Gloucester Docks were hauled to safety in a dramatic rescue yesterday afternoon.The narrow boat only just escaped disaster after the trippers failed to alert the lock-keeper of the boat's arrival into Llanthony lock gate. Firefighters from Gloucester were called to the scene at the lock-keeper's cottage near North Warehouse after the boat driver lost control and drifted off towards the nearby weir. Two rescue boats, three fire engines and the rescue appliance from Gloucester were at the scene and helped get the boat's four passengers - two men and two women - to safety as crowds watched. Fire officers said the incident, at around 4.30pm yesterday, could have been a lot worse because if the boat had reached the weir it would have overturned. Lock-keeper Simon Clutterbuck raised the alarm when he realised the boat was getting out of control. "The boat drivers didn't call to tell me they were nearly here, so I had to open the lock when they were close by," he said. "The water gushes out at quite a force and it just knocked them for six. They started drifting off towards the weir and I tried to tell them to go back but the driver ended up stuck amongst the nearby trees." Mr Clutterbuck said he rang his senior at British Waterways, who then got the fire service involved. "I checked to see everybody was ok," he said. "They were all fine, but just quite shocked I think." Sub fire officer Stu Slatter said: "We were able to rescue the four people on the boat quickly. Nobody was injured - they were just a little shaken. "Things could have been a lot worse, but luckily the boat did not get to the weir - otherwise it would have probably overturned and we would have been looking at a much more serious incident." One of the four narrow boat crew, Brian Aldgate, of Tolsey Lane, Tewkesbury, said: "We're just glad to be safe. "I just want to thank the fire service for rescuing us when the current swept us away at the entrance to Llanthony Dock. I don't want to say any more at the moment." ___________________________________ thorNET, http://www.thornet.co.uk
