Sunken boat closes Shropshire Union Canal

WITH the boating 'season' well upon us, comes sunken boats in locks.

The latest being being caught on the cill and sunk in Tilstone Lock on the Shropshire Union, Keith Gudgin reports.

This 'unfortunate incident', as Canal & River Trust call it, has closed the navigation until the boat is recovered. Photogaph courtesy of Jane Taylor.

Waiting for recovery

The trust is currently waiting on notice from the 'River Rescue Service' on when it will undertake the recovery.

This is the third sinking we have been told of this year.

All most likely with new boaters either ignoring or not understanding the small signs to keep their boats forward when going down. Thus being caught on the cill—but then panicking and not realising by quickly closing the bottom paddles the sinking could be averted.

Alas there will be others that most likely could be averted, should a proper warning be shown, as we have all too often suggested. But alas nothing is done and the sinkings continue with the resulting distress and shock to the crews.