WATCH: RNLI rescues trapped lorry driver from Thames

A lorry driver has been rescued by the RNLI after his skip truck slipped into the Thames in Twickenham.

The RNLI says that the driver was stuck in the vehicle for more than 30 minutes with the tide at its highest point before he could be rescued. London Fire Brigade (LFB) then winched the lorry clear.

One birdwatcher unexpectedly captured the moment the lorry entered the river.

“The tide was at its highest point and the water was up to the driver’s side window and prevented him from leaving the vehicle,” Borough Commander John Snelgrove, who was at the scene, told the Evening Standard.

Image courtesy of RNLI

“Firefighters secured the skip lorry to stop it from moving further into the water. Thankfully the local RNLI crews arrived and using a hammer from the fire engine broke the passenger’s side window and helped the man into the boat.

“This usual incident shows the breath of work fire crews deal with and good partnership working with key partner agencies.”

The Fire Brigade had secured the skip lorry to stop it moving further into the river, but they were unable to get into the cab because it was half underwater in the river. The level of the tide and pressure of the water meant the driver was unable to open the doors to escape.

The RNLI crew in a D class lifeboat manoeuvred alongside the lorry and using a hammer from the fire engine were able to break the passenger window to rescue the driver, who by that point was standing on the seat to keep his head above the waterline. He was taken onto the lifeboat and returned to the river bank.

Teddington volunteer helm Toby Banks says: “The excellent coordination between all the emergency services on scene allowed us to swiftly rescue the driver from his partially submerged lorry cab. He was understandably relieved once we’d got him onto the boat and then into the hands of the ambulance crews.”

Main image courtesy of Thomas Vye.