Police response as boater threatens to blow up narrowboat

THERE was an evacuation in Castleford yesterday as a boater threatened to blow up a narrowboat.

This caused a massive police response on Thursday afternoon with moored boats, houses and business evacuated and roads sealed off as officers attempted to control the situation.

Emergency services

The emergency services rushed to the Aire & Calder area of the Barnsdale Road Bridge by Castleford Flood Lock, with Lock Lane closed and both vehicles and pedestrians kept well away.

The police and firefighters rushed to the area, together with inflatable boats, and ambulance crews standing by.  Armed police and officers with dogs were also brought in.  (Photograph JPI Media.)

Man on a narrowboat shouting

People could hear a man on a narrowboat on the river shouting he was going to blow it up.  Late yesterday the stand-off between the man on the boat and the police was still ongoing, with police negotiators at the scene and in conversation with the man making the threats.

The police have stopped navigation and the town is experiencing significant congestion.