Falling tree hits steerer

A TREE blown down by high winds struck the steerer of a narrowboat near Linslade on the Grand Union Canal putting the woman in hospital.

The woman, who has not yet been named, was airlifted to Milton Keynes Hospital where her condition is critical.

Knocked in the water

The force of the falling tree knocked the 62 years old woman into the water off the back deck as she was taking the hire boat back to its base at Wyvern Shipping as it ploughed into the branches.

Her husband dived into the canal to try and save his wife, who was trapped under the water by the branches, while their seven years old grandson stopped the boat, and phoned the emergency services.