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One missing, five rescued after Thames boat capsizes

BBC Crews search for the missing person BBC
Crews from Surrey Fire and Rescue, Surrey Police and the coastguard were at the scene

A man in his 60s is missing after five people were rescued when a rowing boat capsized on the river at Walton-on-Thames.

Crews from Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, the coastguard and the police attended the scene at Sunbury Lock, near Wheatleys Eyot, at about 08:51 BST on Friday.

Surrey Police confirmed that of the six adults who had entered the water, "five of those people have since been accounted for".

"Sadly, we believe a man in his 60s may still be in the river," the force said in a statement. "His relatives have been informed and are being kept updated."

Adrian Harms/BBC Emergency vehicles and workers are seen standing in a car park in front of a wooden building. Some are wearing hi-viz clothing and others in plain dark clothes.Adrian Harms/BBC
Rescue teams asked members of the public to avoid the area

Three of the five people rescued were taken to hospital for further checks, an ambulance service spokesperson said.

A fire service spokesperson said its crews had left the scene on Friday afternoon and "at that time the incident was still ongoing with the police and other agencies".

Rescue teams had appealed for members of the public to avoid the area while the search continued.

UGC The river is seen flowing fast in a photograph which looks like it has been taken from a jetty just visible in the foreground. The sky is blue and an island with trees on is seen further down the river.UGC
Police say inquiries to establish the exact circumstances of how the boat capsized are ongoing

'Very distressing'

Inquiries to establish the full circumstances of what happened are ongoing, they added.

Ch Insp Andy Jenkins said: “This is a very distressing time for all involved and we continue to support our partners in the search for the missing man.

“Our enquires to establish the exact circumstances of how the boat capsized remain underway but at this time we do not believe there to be any suspicious circumstances or third-party involvement."

Monica Harding, MP for Esher and Walton, said: “This is an extremely distressing incident and my thoughts are with the family and all those impacted.”

The Environment Agency (EA) issues guidance on river conditions on the Thames, which are updated once a day by 11:00.

The warnings for the stretch of the river between Shepperton and Molesey locks were "red caution: strong stream" on Friday.

According to the agency, when red boards are displayed at the locks, users of all boats are advised not to navigate.

"The strong flows make it difficult and dangerous," the guidance says.

An EA spokesperson said in general, and unconnected to Friday’s incident, that boat-owners should check river conditions, whether on boats or not.

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